Dorothy S. Burdick

Lyons Falls - Dorothy (Stafford) Burdick, 90, of State Route 12 passed away on Sunday, April 12, 2009 at the Lewis County Extended Care Facility in Lowville. Dorothy was born in the Town of Martinsburg on August 4, 1918 to H. Orrin and Hattie Iola Butts Stafford. She grew up on the Stafford homestead farm on the East Road near Boonville, and graduated from Boonville Central High School with the Class of 1935. Following graduation she was employed by the Clarence Fisher family as a cook and driver. Dorothy was united in marriage with William G. Burdick on March 25, 1939. The couple moved to their present home on Route 12 near Lyons Falls in 1945, and in 1950 they constructed their summer business, El Rancho Restaurant, near their home. Dorothy and her husband operated the cafeteria at the Snow Ridge Ski Area in Turin during the winters of the 1950s and 1960s. In 1960 she began her long career in the transportation department of the South Lewis School System in Turin. From 1965 until her retirement in 1990, Mrs. Burdick held the position of Transportation Supervisor. Mr. Burdick died on June 9, 2003. Mrs. Burdick attended the Talcottville United Methodist Church for many years. Her survivors include four daughters and sons-in-law, Dorothy and Robert Payne of Lowville, Ann and William Anderson of Glenfield, Phyllis and Brian Samuelson of Sun City West, AZ, and Nancy Cook and her husband, Rick Ehlers, of Lyons Falls; nine grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren. The last of her family, Dorothy was predeceased by two brothers, Harold and Roy Stafford, and two sisters, Mildred Roberts and Gladys Miller. Her funeral will be Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at the Trainor Funeral Home, Inc., 143 Schuyler Street, Boonville, where Pastor Joan Ripp of the Talcottville United Methodist Church will officiate. Interment will be in Turin Cemetery. Calling hours are Friday 4-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Turin Fire Department or to the Lewis County Humane Society, 6388 Pine Grove Road, Glenfield, NY 13343.