Dorette L. Burnham

Dorette Louise Burnham

of Windham, Pa

Dorette Louise Burnham was born on March 4, 1930 into the affluent home of Walter Rudolph and his wife Adele. Born in Bayside, Queens NY, Dorette often recanted the simple joys of childhood, swimming in the bay and her lifelong friend Marion Morhman.

Dorette graduated from Oneonta College with Bachelors in Primary Education. She dreamed of going West to educate the Navajo Indians. That was until she met William Burnham on a blind date.

She and Bill married on August 30 1951, honeymooning in Maine just so Dorette could start her teaching career in the Mineola School District at Cross Street School.

She put her career on hold to give birth to their son Cory A. Burnham born 2/16/1953. Every three years the family expanded with Lark Leora on 1/12/1956 and finally Kim-Rachel on 2/16/1959. Dorette remained a loving and dedicated mother to end of her life.

When the children entered school age, Dorette continued her career. She was a favorite Substitute Teacher throughout the Mineola School District. Originally bicycling her way to the schools with a suitcase of crafts and quizzes, she got her driver's license at 40 years old.

Dorette continued her education at C.W. Post, earning her Masters degree in Library Sciences. She reactivated her career as a Children's Librarian at the Amityville Public Library. After several years, she continued in the same title at the Elmont Public Library.

As retirement approached, Dorette and Bill set their sights on a 100 acre farm in Windham, PA. While they continued to work, they would enjoy long weekends and holidays in the country. Dorette embraced country living by taking basket weaving, floral arrangement and even furniture refinishing. She envisioned a place for all of her children and grandchildren would come to visit.

When they retired, they left Long Island in 1993 to live the rest of their years at the formally known Stone Jug Inn. Dorette enjoyed her huge garden of vegetables and flowers. With her passion for roses and Irises, she joined The Iris Society. She and Bill were very active within their community. They were instrumental in fund raisers for the Windham Fire Dept. and the Textile Museum. As well as a Book Club.

Predeceased by Bill , Feb. 2022 and her daughter Lark, April 2023. Dorette passed away peacefully at Sayer Healthcare January 18, 2024. She had battled dementia since 2019, finally taking it's toll. To the day she passed Dorette remained an avid reader of romance novels, books on flowers and Martha Stewart.

Abiding with her wishes, there will be no services. Dorette and Bill will be laid to rest at the Nassau Knolls Cemetery in Port Washington, NY. Memories and condolences may be shared by visiting her guestbook at www.sutfinfuneralchapel.com.