Martha Dowden "Sue" Burdick

Our beloved Martha Sue Dowden Burdick, aged 89 of Houston, Texas, passed away on September 18, 2024. She was born in Natchitoches, Louisiana on November 9,1934 and grew up in Odessa, Texas.
She was devoted to and is predeceased by her husband of 61 years, Cecil Eugene "Gene" Burdick Jr.; her parents, Edward Grant Dowden and Hazel Rose Harkins Dowden; and by her siblings and their spouses: Charles Dowden and wife Verla Cargle Dowden; Margaret Dowden Stepp and husband J.L. Stepp; Stephen Henry Dowden; James Albert Dowden; Sanford Roy "Sonny" Dowden and wife Frances Rose Clary Dowden; and Elizabeth Dowden Harned and husband William Edward Harned.
She is survived by friends and a large family, including her children: Cecil Burdick III and wife Brenda Floyd Burdick; William Burdick and Christie Heard Burdick; Jennifer Burdick Varela and husband Joseph Varela; Jeffrey Burdick and wife Ronda Haynes Burdick; Tricia Burdick Floyd and husband Michael Floyd; and Josh Burdick and partner Ritu Gupta. She was the last of her seven siblings and leaves behind sisters-in-laws: Del Eberspacher Dowden; Barbara Hardy Dowden; Edith Burdick Goodwin; and Betty Rowe Burdick.
Her memory and legacy continue through 8 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren: Brianna Burdick Ritter and husband Daniel Ritter; Harrison Burdick and partner Jackie Whisner; Aaron Burdick and daughter Elizabeth; David Varela; Daniel Varela; Mason Burdick and wife McKenna Burdick and their daughter, Monroe Burdick and son, Milo Burdick; Travis Burdick and wife Kimberly Burdick and their son, Anthony Burdick; and David Floyd.
She was the jewel of her family and devoted to them. When her children were young, she often sewed their clothes and made their Halloween costumes. She was a talented watercolor artist and leaves behind dozens of paintings which are cherished by all her family members. She embraced adult coloring in her later years and enjoyed trips to Texas Art Supply to explore coloring books and colored pencils. She was a caretaker and peacemaker, setting an example of what it means to think about and care for others. She used to say that if someone needed help, you figured out how to help them and you just did it. We will miss and remember her forever.
The funeral will be held on Saturday, September 28. 2024. A funeral mass starting at 10:00 a.m. will be held at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. Prior to the mass, a viewing will be held in the St. Rose of Lima vestibule from 9:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. Following the burial at approximately 11:30 a.m., a burial service will be conducted graveside at Woodlawn Funeral Home and Cemetery. Following the graveside service, please join us for a Bar-B-Que lunch at the Woodlawn reception room. Please join us for all or any of these services.
If anyone would like to donate in Martha Sue Burdick's honor, please consider donating to the St. Rose of Lima Food Bank (St. Vincent de Paul Society).
St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church
3600 Brinkman Street
Houston, Texas 77018
713-692-9123
www.stroselima.org
St. Rose of Lima St. Vincent de Paul Society (Food Bank)
https://pushpay.com/g/stroselima
For the Fund, select St. Vincent de Paul Gift of Love
Woodlawn Funeral Home and Cemetery
1101 Antoine Drive
Burial: Block E, Lot 108, Space 5
(Enter on Antoine – Gravesite Near Katy Frwy Service Road)
Houston, Texas 77055
713-682-3663
www.woodlawnfh.com