Edythe Donham

Edythe Burrell Donham of Stratford passed away at home at the age of 92.

Edythe was born in Hanford to Elsworth and Estella Burrell. The Burrell family has been in the area since the late 1800s when Edythe's great-grandfather came to the area as one of the wagon masters with the famed Donner party before they decided to split form the rest of the wagon train to take a shortcut to California. Edythe was known to most as Mrs. "D" since she was a teacher for Central Union School District from 1952 - 1981. Edythe started teaching at Armona Union Academy where after graduation they asked her to become a teacher. She taught first through third grades during the days and went to Fresno State College, where she earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in education, during the nights and summers. Edythe taught in Arizona and New Mexico on Indian reservations. She said that those times spent teaching there were done as a gift, and not for money. While there she made long lasting friendships. Mrs. "D" retired from teaching in 1981 when her husband, Elbert, developed a heart condition and she felt it was more important to stay home with him than to be in the classroom.

A memorial service will be held for Edythe on Sunday, October 24 at Phipps-Dale Funeral Chapel in Lemoore at 3:00 P.M.

Friends who wish can make donations in Edythe's memory to Lemoore Christian Aid, 224 N. Lemoore Ave., Lemoore, CA 93245.