"My Daughter," Ethyl Burningham

Dorothy Jean Burningham

From the autobiography of her Mom, Ethel Burningham:

In 1949, the Burningham family lived in Ocean Beach, California. The doctor that I had for my baby was in Chula Vista. On March 3rd, 1949 my husband and I headed for Chula Vista Hospital. We were there for a while when the doctor said it was a false alarm and sent us back home for ten days or two weeks. We went back home again until March 13th, at which time we went back to the hospital. My husband had a sterile bag in case of an emergency-if we had my baby before we got to the hospital. Dorothy was born on March 13th, 1949 to Cecil I. and Ethel M. Burningham.

She was what I always wanted-a fined featured little girl. She was beautiful and had a beautiful spirit. She was a special spirit in our home. She had a father, mother, four brothers, and three sisters to give her a lot of love and attention. All my babies had been big and fat. I always wanted a dainty little girl. When Dorothy was born I got my wish. She was small boned and wasn’t big and fat, my dainty little girl. She was my tenth baby. She will always be my baby girl. Before I was born, my mother said that my brother, Henry, who was 16 months older than me, said he was going to have a baby sister and name her Dorothy Jean. It would embarrass my mother, but everyone else thought it was cute. They named me Ethel after my cousin Ethel. That is why I named Dorothy, Dorothy Jean. I also named her after Dorothy Willardson.

Right after we brought Dorothy home, the Sleights were at our home to see the new baby. They were saying how cute she was and how they wanted to take her home with them. When they went to leave Freddy had all her bags packed.

Dorothy was really smart. I used to read to all the kids and once I read “The Three Bears.” Later Dorothy sat down on the couch and looked and acted like she was reading it word for word. One morning after she learned the ABC’s she asked what O-F-F and O-N on the stove meant. Then while I was bathing her, she asked what the H-O-T and C-O-L-D meant. She was in advanced classes in the sixth grade with another Mormon. They were the only two that were advanced sixth graders.

Dorothy could keep house and cook, but I didn’t realize it until I had foot surgery and she took over for me. She did a great job keeping the house and cooking the meals. I was very proud of her for taking such good care of me and the family.

I’m so thankful for my family. We will all be together eternally. I am so thankful for Dorothy’s sweet spirit in our home. Dorothy really married a prince in Israel, Wayne Snyder. He has been a great husband and father. They would come to see me at least once a week. Their three children have come up often to be with Patricia. They brought sunshine to our home because of their sweet personalities.