Book #2 is complete. Only a few books have been released, but more to come within days!!! The book launch is June 28th!! Please come!! If you cannot come, just send me an order for the book on my website http://patocwriter.com Details below!!

Launch Party for Spirit in Creation

We are honored to host the Launch Party for this wonderful collection of poetry from two local women!

Join Us to Celebrate!

Saturday, June 28 at 1 pm

Marjorie Burke and Patricia O’Connor
Their newest book, Spirit in Creation; Two Women, One Vision Finding Peace and Truth in Creation was conceived spontaneously.  The two women, who had met briefly years before at the bedside of Marge’s ill husband, reunited in a serendipitous manner.  As many do, they said, “Let’s do lunch!”  But they actually did.  That first lunch, Pat picked Marge’s brain about how to go about completing and publishing her book.  Marge encouraged Pat to go to the Chihuly Glass Museum in Seattle during her upcoming trip to Alaska. 

During their second lunch, in sharing their experiences of the glass museum and Glacier Bay, Pat, recognizing the spirit which had overcome Marge as they spoke, spontaneously proclaimed, “Marge, we have to write a book together!”  Marge said, “Yes!”  Then Pat gave it a name – we will call it Spirit in Creation.  Again, Marge agreed wholeheartedly.   And so, it was conceived!

For the next 15 months, they adventured to places of creation throughout New England.  They spent time silently sitting and writing in nature and places of creations made by people.  Then they would return to MainStreet BookEnds in Warner if near enough and sit in front of the fire and write more then read to each other.  As they would read their eyes would widen every time – as what they saw, felt, witnessed was so similar though their writing styles individual!

They found in each other kindred spirits, sisters and friends.  They each grew in ways unique to each as the year traveled on.   In their escapades, they found escape from the pain existing in the world, but more importantly, sustenance and perspective.  They found joy.

By the end of 2024 (their goal!), the book was complete – well, version one!  They spent the next 6 months paring the poems down (the original manuscript was over 400 pages!) along with their ever-faithful editor, Susan Brown. 

The creation which was borne is a testimony to all creation.  A gift to all who wish to find peace and truth in their own lives and a peek hole into friendship, endurance and the Spirit of Truth by any name.

Marjorie is a young octogenarian who approaches her life with a sense of adventure and purpose.  She was one of the first women to graduate from the MCP.  Early in her career she worked at Pediatric Hospital.  She lived outside of Boston with her husband, Donald where she raised her two sons.  During this time, she was active also in the Episcopal Church having been president of the Episcopal Women for many years.  She traveled extensively giving talks all over the world. She was president of the Weare board of education.

She began her writing career with an Alzheimer’s Trilogy she began with her husband, Donald when he became ill with the disease.  She has subsequently written four other books.

Her life is filled now with writing, volunteering at her church and in the community, cooking, canning, modeling, family, and, sometimes, soaking up the peace of her home in Weare which she built with her husband, Donald.

Patricia is a retired nurse practitioner who has written throughout her life in order to slow down and feel the pulse of the world she inhabits.  She spent over five decades in health care, much of that caring for people at or nearing the end-of-life.  This has informed and inspired her appreciation of the preciousness of life. This appreciation and gratitude are woven into the fabric of her writing.  She spends her “work” time teaching, leading retreats, story-telling, and writing. Her leisure time is spent enjoying New Hampshire from her kayak, her hiking shoes, or her perch by Little Lake Sunapee where she inspects boats to keep NH lakes free of invasive species. She takes delight in her children, their spouses and her grandchildren when she gets to spend time with them.  She loves her life with her husband, Tom! 

Event date: 

Saturday, June 28, 2025 – 1:00pm to 2:00pm

Event address: 

Gallery at MainStreet BookEnds

16 East Main Street

Warner, NH 03278

Event Type Terms: 

• Author Signings