[3] Representing the Flushing Y in January 1958, at a sanctioned AAU meet at Brentwood High, Burke won the 100-yard backstroke in the competitive time of 1:11.

[5] A highly competitive program that included many Olympians in their history, MAC was coached by Jim Campbell from 1956-1958, and Jack Pobochenko from 1959-1960.

[6][7][8] A good student, despite the rigors of Olympic training, Burke made the Honor Roll as a Senior at Los Gatos High School for the Fall, 1959 semester.

[9] By January 1960, representing the Santa Clara Club at the San Jose AAU Open, Burke swam the 220-yard backstroke in 2:18.5, a new American record.

[6][11][12] She won a second gold medal by swimming the backstroke leg for the winning U.S. team in the 4×100-meter medley relay, together with teammates Patty Kempner (breaststroke), Carolyn Schuler (butterfly), and Chris von Saltza (freestyle).

[15] Knowing she did not plan to swim during college, Burke attended New York City's St. John's University where she worked towards a Master's Degree in Elementary Education, graduating in June 1965.

[16][17] After graduation from St. John's, Burke taught second grade, and had spent summers teaching swimming to children at New York area country clubs.