Denise Blied Burke

Ready to rumble with the Chicago Burkes!!! Brenda & Eric, and their darling daughters, are joining "The Other Burkes" for our annual family reunion. This time we will be meeting up in Lake Placid, NY. We always love reminiscing about our SHS days!!!

Love getting all the Aiden photos (new grandson) from Jana. Our kids are 43 and 32 and no grandkids in sight??!!!!

I am still reeling in a world without my friend, Augie.  I was fortunate to have taught with Greg for nearly 10 years.  Our MCRSD student population could be daunting at times, and I never could have taught those kids without his help and support.  Let me tell you, Greg made a difference in this world . . . in the lives of all his students.  He understood their challenges, their frustrations, their issues with substance abuse, and their desire to make something of themselves.  Greg believed in them.  They loved and respected him in return and looked upon him as a benevolent father figure.

I was lucky to have him as a friend, and even after our teaching days were over, we continued to check in with each other - going for hikes, grabbing breakfast at Whole Foods, meeting up for lunch in Phoenix or Pine, or getting together for Thai food with our spouses.  Even before Greg was diagnosed with cancer, he lived his life with great gusto . . . enjoying his Harley rides, going to see every"oldies" band that came to town, going on drive-alongs with the Phoenix Police Department, attending college and professional basketball games, hanging out with his many Saguaro home boys, and reveling in the company of his beloved Sunny and daughter Jolie, who kept him grounded.

We were all blessed and privileged to have him in our lives and we all mourn his passing. Saguaro's Class of 1970 will never be the same without him.

Denise Blied Burke