Louise Doris Burnham, 82, 22-year resident of Coupeville, died at Careage of Whidbey Thursday, April 22, 2004.

Mrs. Burnham was born April 7, 1922, in Long Beach, Calif., to Arthur Rhodes and Mae Eugenia (Routt) Rhodes. As an infant, Louise’s father died suddenly in an oil derrick accident. She was raised by Clyde Hawk and her mother in Los Angeles County. She graduated from Lincoln High School in Los Angeles. Louise was married to True Bertram “Bert” Burnham Nov. 2, 1940, at the Alhambra, Calif., First Presbyterian Church. During World War II, the couple resided at the cabins at Lake Erie, Mr. Burnham having been among the first to be stationed at the then-new Whidbey Island Naval Air Station.

Following the war, they moved back to California, residing in El Monte, Azusa and Temple City. From 1951 to 1957, they lived in Mount Vernon and Puyallup, after which they returned to Southern California, taking up residence in Azusa. During this time, Louise was employed as a secretary to the principal at Azusa High School and Gladstone High School, both in the Azusa Public Schools. Following retirement, they moved to Coupeville in 1981, where they have since resided. Louise was a member of the Elks Lodge No. 2362.

Louise is survived by her husband Bert at home; two children, Janice Inman and husband Carl of Shelton and Thomas J. Burnham and wife Barbara of Tucson, Ariz.; five grandchildren, Judy Carr of Newport Beach, Calif., Bob Solem of Everett, Donna Melampy of Seattle, and Scot and Dan Burnham, both of Tucson, Ariz.; and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a brother, Clyde Hawk, in 2000.

A graveside service will be Monday, April 26, 2004, at 10 a.m. at Sunnyside Cemetery, Chaplain Mary Kearns officiating. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, c/o Jo Balda, Treasurer, P.O. Box 1594, Oak Harbor, WA 98277. Arrangements under direction of Burley Funeral Chapel.