Dorothea Emilynn Drake Burnett died in the early morning on July 28, 2014, at the age of 99 at her home in Southfield, MA. She was born to Harry Burton Drake and Elsie Emilynn Roberts Drake Reynolds on January 11, 1915 in Idabelle, OK. She was an only child. She graduated from Glendale (AZ) High School and from Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ. She continued graduate study at the University of Arizona, University of Washington, University of California-Berkeley, and Georgetown University. She came from Arizona to Southfield, MA when she married Edward H. Burnett (1917-1999). They were married for 54 years. She started teaching in Arizona, first home economics and social studies in Miami AZ and then fifth grade in Glendale AZ. She taught fourth grade in Mill River Central School (Southern Berkshire Regional School District) until her retirement. She was formerly a superintendent for the Sunday School for the United Church of Christ/Congregational in New Marlborough and an active member of the church's Ladies Aid Society. She was an avid quilter, gardener, reader, and photographer. She was a founding member of Berkshire Quilters. For several decades, she was a member of the Berkshire Chapter of the North American Rock Garden Society. As recently as 2010, her gardens were part of the New Marlborough Garden Tour. She is survived by her four children: Margaret Burnett, Norfolk, CT; Christopher Burnett, Marquette, MI; Rebecca Burnett, Atlanta, GA; and Paula Ketchum Thompson, Concord, CA. She also leaves seven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. A private interment will be held by the family. A memorial celebration of her life will be scheduled for early fall, at a time and place to be announced later. The family requests that donations to the New Marlborough Town Library (in Mill River, MA) be in care of FINNERTY & STEVENS FUNERAL HOME, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230. Remembrances may be sent to her family through www.finnertyandstevens.com
