Phebe Burnham

Phebe Case Burnham was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts on July 26, 1920, the third and youngest daughter of Everett and Alice Case. Her parents encouraged her artwork from an early age, and she once said, "I always knew I was going to be an artist. There was no decision to make." During her bright, vibrant, vivacious 102-year lifetime, she created thousands of paintings, now hanging in numerous countries. She was especially well-known in the San Diego area, where she first joined The Foothills Art Association in La Mesa in 1953. Indeed, in 2020, for her 100th birthday, a proclamation was issued in San Diego County, setting aside a day as "Phebe Burnham Day."
Phebe graduated from New Bedford High School at age 16 and majored in fine arts from 1937-1941 at The Swain School, which eventually became part of The University of Massachusetts. She attended the Chamberlain School of Retailing in Boston, and for several years during World War II was a window decorator for the Gilcrest Company and Filene's Department Store. Later, she advanced her studies at The Columbia University School of Painting and Design and the prestigious Art Students League in New York.
In 1944, Phebe married Robert Burnham when he returned from serving in the South Pacific. They moved to California in 1950 and first lived in a small house in an avocado grove in El Cajon, which rented for $25 a month, utilities included. Robert was a teacher at Grossmont High School, a vice principal at El Capitan High School, and later the Superintendent of Grossmont and Cuyamaca Colleges, while Phebe taught art classes in various venues throughout San Diego. Together, they sponsored hundreds of foreign students from around the world, many of whom are still in touch with the family. The guest bed "never got cold." They were married for 36 years until Robert's death in 1980 at age 60.
Following her husband's death, Phebe pursued her painting even more passionately, and her subject matter often came from her many travels-especially to Oaxaca, Mexico, which she visited twelve times. She said, "Creating paintings is soul-satisfying for me," and she was particularly inspired by the scenery, colorful clothing, and people of Oaxaca.
Known to be quirky and fun as well as talented and beautiful, she will be remembered for both her amazing artwork and for startling the people around her by doing things like taking up belly dancing in her fifties, arriving at the airport with lit Christmas lights around her neck, and wearing unusual headgear, including a flat-topped hat that looked like a pizza.
In her later years, Phebe moved to Descanso to be closer to her daughters, Cindy and Sara, and she spent many enjoyable mornings having her regular veggie omelet at The Junction Restaurant in Descanso. When asked the secret of her longevity, she would tell people: "Clean living, high moral character, and that glass of red wine at dinner-and sometimes lunch!" She continued painting until just a few months before her death, when declining health required her to move to a residential care facility in El Cajon.
Phebe is survived by son Andrew (Brigitte), daughter Cynthia (Paul), daughter Sara (Drew), five grandchildren-Jessica, David, Rebecca, China, and Jack-and six great-grandchildren-Camryn, Sienna, Tanner, Caleb, Declan, and Kieran.
Phebe was well-loved and is sorely missed. A celebration of life will likely take place this fall. If you would like to attend, please contact Andy Burnham, acburnham@aol.com, who will provide details when they become available.