Patricia Burke Ackal

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, August 23, 2006, 11am, at the Church of the Ascension, for Patricia Burke Ackal, 49, who passed away Monday, August 21, 2006 at Lafayette General Medical Center. Reverend Larry G. Wilkes and Father Fred Reynolds will conduct the funeral services. Mrs. Ackal was the daughter of Lieutenant General and Mrs. Kelly Burke. Patty was born on November 8, 1956 in Winter Haven, Florida. As a member of a military family she lived in Japan, Guam and England as well as a number of locations in America. She earned a bachelor's degree from Southwest Texas University, and a master's from Florida State University. She then won a scholarship from Tulane School of law, where she graduated with honors. While studying for her bar exam, she met fellow student Mark Ackal. They soon fell in love and married, settling in Lafayette. Patty then became essentially a full time mom--a role at which she excelled and thoroughly enjoyed. She was also active in civic and community affairs, Patty fought a long and courageous battle against the cancer to which she finally succumbed. At the end she was comforted by the love of family and friends who attended her. She will be sorely missed by all. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to her attending physicians and Lafayette General personnel for their valiant efforts Survivors include her husband, Mark A. Ackal of Lafayette; one daughter, Leigh Brittany Ackal; two sons, Burke Alfred Ackal, and Mark Denson Ackal; one sister, Bethany Burke-Owen and husband Martin Owen of Shalimar, Florida; one brother, Kelly Burke III of Atlanta, Georgia, and father and mother -in-law, Alfred T. and Jeannette C. Ackal, and three sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Zachary and husband, Patrick, Mary Catherine Ackal, and Michelle Ackal. Visiting hours will be observed Tuesday from 10:00 am until 10:00 pm and will continue Wednesday from 8:00 am until service time. A Rosary will be recited at 7pm Tuesday by Reverend Keith DeRouen. Pallbearers will be: Kelly H. Burke III, Pat Zachary, Chris Gamble, Charlie Goodson, Camille Ackal, Mike Barras. Personal condolences may be sent to the Ackal family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com. Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, is in charge of all funeral arrangements.

Patricia Burke Ackal

November 8, 1956 - August 21, 2006