Octavia Muriel Burton

1925 - 2018

BORN

1925

DIED

2018

About

University of Kansas

Octavia Burton Obituary

Octavia (Toby) Muriel Walker Burton

Our beloved mother and grandmother, Octavia (Toby) Muriel Walker Burton, 92, passed away on June 28, 2018, after a long illness. Toby was born on October 2, 1925 to Jim and Ethyl Linda Walker in Hugoton, Kansas, the fifth of six children, and the only daughter. She graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in Psychology, married civil rights attorney Philip Lyman Burton in 1949, and moved to Seattle, Washington. Toby nurtured children with special needs as a teacher for several years, and upon retirement became a dedicated volunteer, supporting many worthy causes with her sisters of Delta Sigma Theta and the Links, Incorporated. Toby was also a member of the board of trustees at the Children's Orthopedic Hospital, (Seattle Children's), and in 1976, together with many community members in the spirit of caring, began raising funds to build the Odessa Brown Children's Clinic, so all children would have access to quality medical care with dignity. In 1979, Toby received the University of Washington Charles E. Odegaard Award, the UW's only university and community selected award, representing the highest achievement in diversity at the UW.

Toby and Phil were married for 46 years until his death in 1995. Their daughter, Linda Donelle Burton, died in 2015. She is survived by her son, Atty. Kenneth Burton, daughter in law, Dr. Michelle Terry, grandchildren, Philip, Riley, and Allison Burton, and a host of dear family and friends.

A memorial service is pending for later this summer. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be given to the Toby Burton and Mercedes Terry Endowment at Seattle Children's/ Odessa Brown Children's Clinic.

Please sign Toby's online Guestbook at www.Legacy.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Seattle Times on Jul. 1, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Octavia Burton

Sponsored by The Family.

6 Entries

John Giovine

November 5, 2020

I am coming in late here, but I would be truly remiss in not honoring “Toby” or "Mrs. Burton” as we commonly knew her.

She was my teacher at the Little School of Seattle back in 1968-1969. It was the first time ever in my life that I was sad if I had to miss school, for any reason. Toby and her support staff made learning so much fun! She was warm, nurturing, loving, and kind. She challenged us in achievable ways to be and excel to be our best, and we did! Thanks to her!

Happiest of trails!

Sincerely,

John Giovine Ph.D

DEBORAH Berger

July 23, 2018

I loved her. I admired her. She embodied grace, and she taught me so much by example. She had a wonderful way of standing her ground without diminishing the other person.
I miss her every day and I will carry her with me forever.

Richard Berger

July 10, 2018

Octavia was our (my wife Deborah and I) role model and friend for 34 years. She was our neighbor. She was honorary grandmother to our son. We only hope a little of her intelligence and wisdom might have rubbed off on us. Her many community accomplishments are well documented and we all should be grateful that she was among us. One of my greatest honors was to be a pall bearer for her husband Philip. There will be a hole in our hearts where she lived from now on. Our most sincere condolences to her son Ken and his family. To her many friends and associates, we share your sorrow. Rest in peace.

Kathleen Southwick

July 2, 2018

I would like to extend my condolences to Toby's family. My mother, Irene Southwick, lived across the hall from Toby and I always chatted with her when I came to visit Mom. She always had a smile and responded when I called her Toby since the staff called her Octavia. Additionally, Toby was on the founding board of Crisis Clinic which I discovered when I was trying to find those original board members for Crisis Clinic's 50th anniversary back in 2014. I was very surprised that I knew her now and she lived at Bayview. There was only one other surviving member, Rev. Peter Joshi, so I was glad to be able to thank Toby. I was the executive director at Crisis Clinic for the past 19 years. I am grateful for Toby's service to her family and our community and she will be missed. Kathleen Southwick

Colonel James Manning

July 1, 2018

To the Burton Family my heartfelt condolences are offered to your family on the transition of your remarkable mother. I met she and your father Phillip years ago when I arrived in Seattle and we became lifelong friends especially since your dad and I were members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. Your mother was a special person in her own right with a wonderful respect for all whose lives she encountered. Rest Eternally, Toby; you have given your all to humanity.

Dorothy Holland Mann PhD

July 1, 2018

My heartfelt condolences to the Burton family. I met Toby and Phil shortly after relocating to Seattle in 1979. They were both very supportive and Toby helped me to navigate the social mores of my new community. She was a warm and gracious presence. RIP, my friend. Dorothy Mann

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