Noel Donaghy Burks

Noel Donaghy Burks was born in Brooklyn, New York on September 30, 1921 to Florence Fenning and Harry Donaghy Sr. and passed on May 21, 2020. She is preceded in death by her husband Clarence, brother Harry, sisters Carol and Jane, daughter Robin Steiniger, and special cousins Alfred and Fr. Harold Skidmore. She is survived by her daughter Holly Baldwin, sons Chris (Patricia) and Keith (Patty), and Billy Steiniger; grand children Tommy (Libby) Steiniger, Cindy (Brian) Lyczkowski, Nichole (Matt) Bordegaray and Dwight (fiancé Jane Hegeman) Burks, and Angelica Mendez; great grandchildren Phineas and Caleb Steiniger, Rosalia Baldwin and Kronos Cassavant, Nora Bordegaray; and many special nieces, nephews and friends.

After high school, Noel attended Adelphi University earning her BS in 1943.
In 1965 she earned a Master of Social Work while employed full time with Nassau County Department of Social Services and raising four children in Amityville. She retired from her accomplished career as Director of Staff Development in 1989.

Noel continued her mother’s legacy to support Adelphi. She played an integral role in the Friends of Adelphi University Library, serving as president from 1996-2006. As an Alumni Association board member she contributed to its governance for over 50 years. Noel was honored with the Ruth Stratton Harley Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award in 2010.

Noel was a member of the Community Club of Garden City and Hempstead, Panhellenic and Zonta Associations and the Red Hat Society. She read profusely, enjoyed vacationing especially in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and cruising the world on the Queen Mary with her sister Carol and friends. In her eighties she joked about wanting a job on her favorite cruise ship.

Noel was a lifelong collector of friends and art. She loved the ocean and parties with friends and family. She was known for sharing her deep love and knowledge of New York. She enjoyed her last decade making friends at Jefferson Ferry retirement community where she volunteered in the library, took water aerobics, and started the first newcomers welcome club. She will be missed. May she rest in peace.

A private burial will take place at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Brooklyn, NY. A memorial mass and celebration of life will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Burks/Donaghy Scholarship Fund Adelphi University, Office of Advancement, One South Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530.