Sister Marie Frances Burke, SNDdeN was born in Hartford, Connecticut, on September 14, 1933, to Martin and Mary (O’Leary) Burke. She entered the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in 1954, taking the name Sister Mary Martin, though she later returned to her birth name. Sister Marie Frances took her first vows in 1956 and final vows in 1961.
Her ministry as a Sister began in 1956 at Sacred Heart in Springfield, Massachusetts, and from 1957 to 1961 at St. Anthony in Somerville, Massachusetts. She then went on to serve at various parishes in Connecticut through 1975.
In 1976, Sister Marie Frances transitioned to social work at the Church on the Green in Waterbury, Connecticut, where she served until 1991. From 1992 to 1995, she focused on helping those without a home find employment. She became the team administrator and president of In-The-Making Company in Waterbury from 1998 to 2006. Since 2008, she has continued volunteering at In-The-Making Company while focusing on networking for social justice.
Celebrating her 70-year jubilee, Sister Marie Frances has dedicated her life and ministry to social work, social justice, and the values and commitments of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur.