Condolences to the family of Alice Allayne Burke.

RES 2026-119 FIRST IN COUNCIL September 14, 2026 City of Cambridge COUNCILLOR SIMMONS WHEREAS: The City Council was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Alice Allayne Beckford Burke, affectionately known as “Lady” to her family and close friends, on July 13, 2026, at the age of 85; and WHEREAS: Alice was born in Cambridge on May 2, 1941, to the late Alice E. Beckford Jackson and Harold Beckford, and was raised in a close-knit family alongside her siblings Millicent “Mickey,” Phyllis, Harold “Hoover,” William “Willie,” and Donald “Buggy” Beckford; and WHEREAS: Alice attended the Houghton School and Cambridge High and Latin School, and the values of family, community, compassion, and service that were instilled during her Cambridge upbringing remained evident throughout her life; and WHEREAS: Motivated by a sincere desire to help others, Alice pursued a career in nursing, earned her practical nursing credentials from the Youville Hospital School of Practical Nursing, and went on to serve patients at Youville Hospital for nearly two decades, developing a particular commitment to the care and dignity of elderly patients while also providing devoted care to members of her own family; and WHEREAS: Alice later dedicated approximately two decades of service to Chilton House Hospice, where she provided compassionate end-of-life care and comfort to patients and their loved ones, and where her exceptional commitment was recognized through the naming of a room in her honor; and WHEREAS: Alice’s service to others continued beyond her formal retirement, as she accompanied elderly friends to medical appointments, helped them better understand diagnoses and treatments, and offered reassurance, guidance, and companionship during difficult times; and WHEREAS: Alice will also be remembered for the warmth, humor, and vitality she brought to her family and friendships, including spirited games of pinochle and bid whist, lively conversation, and generous meals shared around the family table; and WHEREAS: Alice took great pride in her cooking, was an enthusiastic solver of crossword puzzles, and was a devoted Boston Celtics fan whose admiration for Larry Bird became a cherished part of family lore; and WHEREAS: Alice was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, and she leaves to cherish her memory a large and loving extended family, including her sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and succeeding generations of relatives, as

well as many friends and former colleagues whose lives were enriched by her care and companionship; now therefore be it RESOLVED: That the Cambridge City Council go on record in extending its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and community of Alice Allayne “Lady” Burke for their tremendous loss; and be it further RESOLVED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to prepare a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to the family of Alice Allayne Burke on behalf of the entire City Council. A true copy; ATTEST:- Paula M. Crane, Interim City Clerk

City of Cambridge Condolences to the family of Alice Allayne Burke.