On December 19, 2020; Dorothy “Dots” Jean Burnham (nee Welsh) returned to the God she worshipped in this life. Dot was the 2nd oldest of 7 children born to Edmund and Delia Welsh in the Mt. Washington neighborhood of Baltimore City. She was a lifelong member of the Shrine of the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church where she received all her sacraments and developed her lifelong relationship with Jesus and her Catholic faith. The Shrine is also where she began her lifelong marriage, to the late James C. Burnham, Sr., in January 1957. Dot was the devoted and fun-loving mother of Mary A. Cutter (Michael), William F. Burnham (Vanessa), James C. Burnham, Jr. (Sandee), and Reverend Martin J. Burnham, P.S.S.; loving grandmother of Kaitlin (Michael), Andrew, Molly, Patrick, Joey, Maggie, Lauren, Lucy and Leo; sweetest great-grandmother of Sawyer and Cooper; dear sister of brothers James and Leo Welsh. In addition to her husband, James, Sr., Dots was predeceased by her sisters Mary-Alice and Agnes and her brothers J. Robert and Joseph.
Dots embodied the person of Martha from sacred scriptures. Her world revolved around family, immediate and extended. Her joy was being a homemaker, keeping a spotless house, and providing a warm, welcoming environment for all who visited her home. Her home, affectionately known by its numerical address as “1304” was a place where everyone, including many relatives, neighborhood children, and friends of her children loved to gather. Dots hosted many family parties and get togethers, both formal and informal. She fed everyone. Attendees knew they would be greeted by a sharp wit, a fun-loving demeanor, and guests, lucky enough to have slept on one of the floors of the house or a bed, were treated to a pancake breakfast in the morning. She also loved to travel within the United States as well as internationally.
Dots began her work career as a telephone operator after graduating from The Catholic High School of Baltimore. After marrying, she became a stay-at-home mom until her youngest child entered 1st grade, at which time she followed him to the Shrine of the Sacred Heart School and became the parish school secretary. She worked there for 19 years retiring from a place she loved in 1991. She remained active in her parish community by attending daily mass and being one of the dynamic altar ladies who weekly cleaned their parish church.
Many remember Dots as a smiling presence who was willing to help anyone who asked. She was a person of faith with a special devotion to St. Thérèse of Lisieux. “Little flower in this hour show thy power” was a quick prayer on her lips as she worked to corral her three sons in their youth and after. She provided care in her home to her grandchildren.
Dots remained in her home until health precluded her from navigating her steps, at which time she reluctantly moved to Oak Crest retirement community. Further health and memory declines forced a move to the loving care of the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate and their staff at St. Joseph’s Nursing Home in Catonsville. She lived out the rest of her life under their incredible care and attentive support. We are deeply grateful to St. Joseph’s Nursing Home for all they did for Dorothy in the final days of her journey through this world.
Friends may call at the family-owned Ruck-Towson Funeral Home, Inc. 1050 York Rd (Beltway exit 26) Towson, MD 21204 on Sunday December 27, 2020 from 5-9 PM. Funeral Mass to be held at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, 200 Ware Ave. Towson, MD 21204 on Monday December 28, 2020 at 10:00 AM. Interment Druid Ridge Cemetery. Immaculate Conception Church will live stream the mass for those unable to attend in person. Please visit their website at www.theimmaculate.org and click on the church link.
Due to gathering size limits, there may be a wait to enter the building. Face masks and social distancing are required at the funeral home, church, and cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Dorothy’s name to: St. Joseph’s Nursing Home, 1222 Tugwell Dr., Baltimore, Maryland 21228.
