Dorothy Blanche Steele Wilkins Burdick

Our dear mother and grandmother, Dorothy Blanche Steele Wilkins Burdick, passed away Monday, March 13, 2023, on her 91st birthday. Her high school yearbook describes her as "an individual that is loved and adored by everyone. So say we."

And indeed, Dorothy was loved and adored by all those that knew her. She was born March 23, 1932, in Goshen, Utah, to Ray and Golden Sorensen Steele. She attended Payson High School where she was in the band, playing the clarinet. In her senior year, Dorothy was elected Student Body Secretary and thoroughly enjoyed planning all the class reunions.

After high school, Dorothy lived in San Francisco with her sister, Lois, and always loved the Bay Area going back often through the years. She also attended BYU and was an active member of the sorority, Val Norn. There she met Richard (Dick) Rulon Wilkins. They were married in the Manti Temple on June 30, 1954. They lived in Palo Alto, California; New York, New York; and Washington, D.C., where Dorothy worked as a secretary for the military. After moving to Holladay, Utah, she worked at Fort Douglas. Unfortunately, on November 27, 1965, Dick was killed in a plane crash. Dorothy then met and subsequently married Max LeRoy Burdick on December 1, 1966. They were married for 45 years.

Dorothy enjoyed traveling, playing the piano, watching tennis, shopping, and spending time with her family. Animals brought her great joy, and she especially loved and doted on the sweet dogs her family members brought to visit her in her later years. We all knew her for her sense of style, and she always loved putting together cute outfits, even at the age of 90. She was a superb homemaker who loved decorating and entertaining friends and family. She made everyone feel welcome. Her cooking included many signature dishes such as Chicken Cordon Bleu and loaves of homemade honey whole-wheat bread.

Dorothy was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and loved the Lord. She was an inspiration to all through her unwavering faith, even and especially through her most challenging life experiences. She served in many church callings and enjoyed family history, especially her calling as a docent at the Church Family History Museum, where she served for many years. Dorothy was an active member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers and enjoyed attending their monthly meetings.

Countless family, friends, and others were lifted through Dorothy's generosity and kindness. Her life was likewise blessed by many dear friends and family members for whom we are eternally grateful.

Dorothy is preceded in death by her parents, both husbands, a grand-daughter, and siblings Lois Faye Okelberry Rohrbaugh; Evelyn Elaine Done Pazzaglia, Paul Duane Steele, and Helen Jean Wilson. She is survived by her children Julie Ann (Randy) Moffat, Max (Cherie) Burdick, Julie (Bill) Gubler, and Jane Ann (John) Day, as well as 26 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.

Dorothy wanted a family-only graveside service. She is buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Springville, Utah. The family would like to thank the excellent staff at Legacy Village Sugar House for their wonderful care over the last two years, and Bristol Hospice who helped make her comfortable at the very end. We love her dearly. Her inspiring, faith-filled legacy lives on.