Catherine McNeil Ferguson Burke, 86, of Glasgow, Scotland, died Tuesday, December 18, 2012. Born July 15, 1926 in Glasgow, Scotland, she was a daughter of the late John Douglas Ferguson and Elizabeth McDougall Grant Ferguson. While in pharmacy school in Glasgow, Catherine met Captain Hugh McKenny Burke, a US Army officer preparing for the invasion of Normandy during WWII. They married in 1946 in Glasgow, Scotland, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. While working for Aramco they lived around the world including Saudi Arabia, Libya, and Spain before Hugh's retirement as director of financial services for Occidental Petroleum Company. They loved exploring the world and retired to Hilton Head, SC, near Hugh's native Atlanta, Georgia. After Hugh's death, Catherine and their son, Douglas, moved to Aiken, SC, for 12 years. For the last year of her life, Catherine lived in Columbia, SC at Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community near her nephew and niece, Russell and Dara Burke. She was an avid gardener, antique collector and story teller. She would amuse her caregivers with her stories. One favorite story described how the former Dictator of Libya, Mummar Gaddafi, then a sergeant, would come by her house in Libya to spy and collect Intel from her houseboy, regarding her husband's work, during the period of American oil exploration in the Middle East. Another favorite story contained fascinating details of buying their first Jaguar from Osama bin Laden's father in Saudi Arabia; thus, the reason her son is an avid car lover to this day. Catherine dedicated her life to supporting her husband and to the care of her special needs son. She was loved by her family and by those who cared for her.

Survivors include her son, Douglas McKenny Burke of Columbia and a sister, Moire Ferguson Crudgington of Petts Wood, England. She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews in the States and abroad. In addition to her parents, Catherine was preceded in death by her husband, Hugh McKenny Burke.

Mrs. Burke was Scottish Presbyterian. She will be buried next to her husband in Arlington National Cemetery following a graveside service in the spring. Shives Funeral Home is assisting the family. Memories and condolences may be added to the on-line guestbook at: ShivesFuneralHome.com.