Mildred Burford

Mildred Lee Burford was born Mildred Lee Kester in Chillicothe, Missouri on March 15, 1908 and passed away peacefully May 29, 2008. As a teen Mildred moved to Baker City, Oregon. She married Percy A. Burford, also of Baker City on May 12, 1927. Percy preceded her in death March 1, 1993. She is survived by two children, Allan Lee Burford of Olympia, Washington and Donna (Loren) Saxby of Lynnwood, Washington; 7 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren. For a time the family resided in various Gold Mining Camps in Eastern Oregon. Mildred was employed by the Postal Service in Cornucopia, Oregon. During the Second World War the family moved to Port Orchard. Mildred was employed for a time in the Port Orchard Post Office then took employment with Puget Sound Power and Light Company. She worked in both the Port Orchard and Bremerton offices. She was the first woman to retire from the company with full retirement benefits. She was a Charter Member of the Port Orchard Business and Professional Women. The BPW Mildred Burford Scholarship is named in her honor. After retiring, she traveled extensively and played golf at Village Greens until she was 91 years old. She was active at the Senior Center, Port Orchard Eagles, Card Clubs, Birthday Club, First Christian Church, Democratic Party, volunteered at the Sidney Gallery and served on the Port Orchard City Planning Committee. Mildred enjoyed people and easily made friends. To paraphrase a quote from Tolstoy: Mildred will be judged by all the love for her that exists within all her friends and acquaintances. Any remembrances may be made to the: Port Orchard Business and Professional Women Mildred Burford Scholarship Fund P.O. Box 1431 Port Orchard, WA 98366 The family wishes to acknowledge the wonderful care Mildred received the past year and a half while residing at the Love and Hope Adult Family Home in Edmonds. Many thanks to Larisa, Mikhail, Natalia and Toma. A Memorial Service will be held at Rill's Life Tribute Center in Port Orchard on Saturday, July 12, 2008 at 1:00 pm.