Edith Thatcher de Burlo

Of Belmont, MA, died unexpectedly, on Sunday, June 8, 2008, in Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston. Edith grew up in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania and attended Swarthmore College. After two years at Swarthmore, she married C. Russell de Burlo, Jr., her lifelong companion of 60 years. Upon moving to Boston, Edith transferred her academic work to Tufts University, where she graduated with a Bachelors degree in Child Development. Edith was a very devoted mother to her three children, and after her children were older, she returned to Tufts University and received a M.Ed. Degree in Child Development. She became certified as a Moderate Special Needs Specialist, and began a career that spanned 20 years and included employment at the Cambridge Somerville Mental Health Center as a classroom teacher, the Cambridge Youth Guidance Center as a child therapist, and an education advisor to the Cambridge elementary schools and daycare centers. Edith approached everything she did, both family and work life, with a supreme amount of devotion and compassion. Edith's Quaker essence was of generosity, gentleness, kindness to all, love and care of children, and supportiveness of all family members' endeavors. She was an avid reader with a wonderful sense of humor. She followed the Quaker Peace Testimony and abhorred violence of any kind. Throughout her life she was interested in the world around her, not of herself. Edith is survived by her husband, C. Russell de Burlo, Jr., and their children Jane Thatcher de Burlo Waln, of Lincoln, California, John Todd de Burlo of Taos, New Mexico, and Laurie Ann Kutner of Burlington, Vermont. She is pre-deceased by her son, Charles Russell de Burlo. She is also survived by her four grandsons: Nicholas Edward Waln of Lincoln, California, Winn Thatcher de Burlo and Robert Todd de Burlo of Taos, New Mexico, and Devin Kutner de Burlo of Burlington, Vermont. Additionally, Edith is survived by many close lifelong friends. A memorial service to celebrate Edith's essence will be held at Friend's Meeting, Longfellow Park, Cambridge, MA, tentatively on September 6, 2008 at 2 p.m. Contributions in Edith's memory may be made to Cambridge Camping Association, 99 Bishop Allen Dr., Cambridge, MA 02139. Short, Williamson & Diamond Belmont 617-484-6900