PORTLAND – Kathleen (Burke) Wheeler, of Auburn, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 11, with her family by her side.

She was born on Feb. 28, 1943, in Fort Fairfield, the daughter of Ralph and Edwena (Peterson) Burke. She graduated from Fort Fairfield High School and Colby Sawyer College, before going to work at Unum Provident for 23 years, working as an administrative assistant and claims specialist. She married Donald Wheeler on June 23, 1984.

She was very active in many condo associations as president of Riverbend Condo Association for seven years and the Granite Mills Condo Association for seven months. She enjoyed camping in Rangeley during the summer and caring for Maine Coon Cats, owning many of her own. Her true past time, however, was sewing and quilting making many beautiful pieces for the people she loved. Although she has left us, she will always be remembered as a loving mother, wife and friend.

She is survived by her husband, Donald Wheeler, of Auburn; two sons, Robert and Gregin Waldron, of Kezar Falls and Burke and Janet Waldron, of Alaska; two sisters, Lorna and Charles Tseckares, of Massachusetts and Martha Burke, of New Gloucester; one brother, Peter and Rebecca Burke, of Rhode Island; and five grandchildren, Becky Waldron, of Westbrook, Emma and Sage Waldron, of Kezar Falls and Jeffrey and Patrick Waldron, of Alaska.