Mother of Deer Park HS student killed by suspected drunk driver dies of cancer

Deer Park High School student Marissa Burke and her mother, Gloria (KPRC 2)

DEER PARK, Texas – The mother of a Deer Park High School student who was killed in a crash caused by a suspected drunk driver this month has died after a battle with cancer, her family announced.

Marissa Burke, 17, was critically injured in a crash while walking home from school on Nov. 13. She died from her injuries four days later.

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Marissa’s family was by her side as she passed away, including her mother, Gloria, who was fighting her own battle with cancer.

“Gloria fought cancer, fought it hard. The heartbreak of losing a child is something she just couldn’t defeat,” an update on a GoFundMe account for Marissa said. “Gloria joined Marissa in the evening on November 28th.”

Marissa Burke and her mother, Gloria (KPRC 2)

The family said they appreciate the “outpour of support and love from the community.”

“We are beyond grateful for every single person who donates, called, texted, showed up and prayed,” the family said.

The family is asking for privacy while they grieve Marissa and Gloria’s deaths.

“We promise to keep the community updated with a now a double memorial service. Again, we are so thankful to our community,” the family said.


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Prairie View A&M University graduate with a master’s degree in Digital Media Studies from Sam Houston State. Delta woman. Proud aunt. Lover of the color purple. 💜

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