Dorothy Jean Burke was born to Floyd Phillip and Margaret Lindsay Mills on Dec. 13, 1921 in Portland, Ore. Dorothy grew up in Oak Grove, Ore. and attended Concord grade school and graduated from Milwaukie High School where all five of her children also graduated. Dorothy continued her education and received a bachelor of arts from the University of Oregon. She later went on to receive a Master’s Degree from Portland State University.
Dorothy began her career teaching senior English at Canby High School. In the fall of 1946 Dorothy met Arthur Burke at a dance hall in Portland. They fell in love and married on June 1, 1947. Art and Dorothy had five children, four daughters and one son. They raised their family in Milwaukie, Oregon.
Dorothy took a few years off before resuming teaching at Milwaukie High School and ending her career as librarian at Rowe Jr. High School.
Dorothy retired in 1982. Dorothy and Art split time between their homes in Milwaukie and Whidbey Island before living permanently on Art’s family property on Lone Lake in Langley, Wash.
Dorothy was active in many organizations throughout her life. As a young girl she was a camp fire girl and Honored Queen of Jobs Daughters – Bethel #10. She was active in PTA, Elkettes, Nydia, Daughters of the Nile temple #1, The Red Hats and spent many fun years as entertainment chairwoman at the Island County Fair.
Dorothy enjoyed baseball, especially her Seattle Mariners and her Oregon Ducks football. Dorothy loved watching sports and spent many hours watching her kids and grandkids. Art and Dorothy also enjoyed spending time in a casino or two … lol!
Dorothy lived the last five years of her life at Maple Ridge Assisted Living in Freeland, Wash.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her loving husband Arthur. She is survived by her five children: Patricia Butler (husband Ralph), of Salt Lake City, Utah; Janice Vaughan (husband Raymond), of Coupeville, Wash.; John Burke (wife Pegeen), of Canby, Ore.; Kathy Olson (husband Steve), Milwaukie Ore.; Marjorie Robinson (husband Fredrich) of Clinton, Wash.; thirteen grandchildren: Rebecca Jamie, Jennifer Mariscal, Michael Vaughan, Patrick, Stuart, Christopher and Carrie Burke, Eric and Bradley Olson, Julie Robinson, Christie Adragna, Kellie Hammond and Laurie Robinson, eight great-grandchildren: DJ Stilchen, Christian and Holland Jamie, Kohlter and Brodyn Mariscal, Jayden and Eli Adragna and Nickolas Hammond. Dorothy had two siblings, an older sister, Margaret, and a younger brother, Hugh, who preceded her in death.
Funeral services for Dorothy Burke will be held at noon on Monday, Nov. 25, at the Langley United Methodist Church with Pastor Jin Ming Ma officiating. Burial will follow in the Langley Cemetery with a reception at the church. Viewing will be held 11 a.m. to noon, Monday at the church.
In lieu of flowers you may send donations in Dorothy’s name to Shriners Children’s Hospital. Dorothy loved living on Whidbey where the sun always shines. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories and condolences at the Book of Memories hosted by Wallin Funeral Home at www.
wallinfuneralhome.com
