Dorothy Myrtle Burke

Dorothy Myrtle Laver Burke

A beautiful spirit left this earth on Saturday, March 21, 2009. Dorothy M. Laver Burke passed away at Brighton Gardens of Scottsdale with her family by her side. Dorothy was born March 7, 1919 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Annie and Roy Laver, the third of five girls. She spent her early years in Mammoth, Utah, graduated from Tintic High School; moved to California where she met and married Francis E. Burke on November 6, 1972 and together, they shared a very happy life filled with family, friends, travel, golf and many homes in California and Arizona. Francis passed away in 2006. She was also predeceased by her father and mother and two sisters, Marjorie Olsen and Marion Adamson. Dorothy is survived by a stepdaughter Betty Reddy and three grandchildren Michael and Billy Reddy and Michelle Santos. She is also survived by two sisters Lorna Esklund and Cecil Ray Doine. “Aunt Billie” will be greatly missed by her nieces and nephews, many of whom helped her celebrate her 90th Birthday on March 7. Her love of life, sense of humor and generosity were without bounds and she never met a person who did not become a friend. During the past two years, she has received much loving care and companionship from three nieces Sheron Christensen, Jill Yu and Michelle Larsen. The family also wishes to give special thanks to the Assisted Living and Hospice of the Valley staff at Brighton Gardens of Scottsdale and to the wonderful people of the Eldorado Ward for their compassion and tender care. Family and friends are invited to celebrate her beautiful life at 10:00 am, Thursday, March 26, at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Rd. Private Interment will be in the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phx. 85014.

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