Dorothy “Dotty” Burnham, a longtime resident of North Bend, passed away peacefully on September 26, 2018 at the age of 96. Born August 1, 1922 in Caldwell, Idaho to George Floyd and Esther Underkofler. Dorothy graduated from Franklin High School in Boise, Idaho in 1941.
She enrolled in Boise Junior College (now Boise State) for one year then transferred to Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon, graduating in 1945 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education. After graduation she accepted a teaching job in Ashland, Oregon. In 1950 she went on to attended summer school at the University of Washington staying with friends and commuting from Snoqualmie Falls, WA.
In 1951 she took a job at the Weyerhaeuser Company. During this time she met her husband Fay and they were married in 1956. Nancy was born in 1958 and Dorothy stayed at home until 1964 when she was hired on at Mt.
Si High School working as a Secretary and then as Registrar and Vocational Teacher. She was involved in Girl’s Basketball as the head coach and with the Girl’s Track team as a head timer and clerk of the course until retirement. Dorothy was involved in many activities throughout her life in college and beyond.
Belonging to Phi Lambda Omicron sorority, choir, and French club in college. She was active in the Snoqualmie Secretaries Association, Business and Professional Women, Snoqualmie Valley Hospital Auxiliary, WAEOP, and Retired Teachers. Many times holding an office.
She was also a Mt Si Senior Center volunteer and member of the North Bend Community Church – singing in the choir, Junior Ladies Aide member and Sunday school teacher. She loved sports and was active in Sunday afternoon track meets, and played on a women’s soccer team with her daughter. Dorothy was well known for her baking and brought cookies to just about every event.
She was aptly named “the cookie lady”. She loved to bake and was very good at it. On Sunday afternoons you could find Dorothy watching her favorite sport of football.
Although, she would watch any sport she could find. Other favorites included baking, looking for antiques, music and singing. Most important to her was her family.
She loved to spend time with her grandchildren, taking them shopping, camping and playing with them. She was thrilled to have five great grandchildren all of whom adored their Gramma Dot Dot. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, Fay Burnham, twin brother Robert, and brother Donald.
She is survived by her daughter Nancy and son-in-law Terry Guarino, foster daughter Teresa (Million) Schiavo, three grandchildren Rebecca (Ben) MacKay, Mary Guarino, Alexander (Tiffany) Guarino and five great grands – Ayden, Lucas, Stella, Micah, and Arya. As well as many nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 13, 2018 at 11:00am at the Snoqualmie Valley Alliance Church in Fall City, WA.
Reception to follow. As an expression of sympathy, Memorial contributions may be made to the Mount Si Senior Center, 411 Main S | P. O. Box 806, North Bend, WA 98045.
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