BURNHAM, Helen C.

Helen C. Burnham, 94, died peacefully on Dec. 23, 2006. She was preceded in death by husband Kenneth E. Burnham, sister Mary C. Scala, and two brothers, John and George Cox. She is survived by three sons, Kenneth John (Arlene) Burnham of Carr; Raymond E. (Carol) Burnham of LaPorte; Richard E. (Karen) Burnham of Portland, Ore.; and a daughter, Diane (Leland) Lively of Buena Vista. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Helen was born in New York City on April 16, 1912. Her mother, Alice Ban, was an Irish immigrant and her father, George A. Cox, was from Newfoundland. After attending Catholic schools, Helen completed business college and began work for a railroad. In 1936, she married Kenneth E. Burnham, an aircraft mechanic and pilot from Bloomfield, Conn. In 1942, they moved West, lived for a short time in California and in Arizona, and finally settled in Colorado Springs. In addition to raising her family, Helen worked outside the home for most of her life. Over the years, she was employed in the family aircraft repair business, as a newspaper proofreader and as a recorder for the El Paso County Clerk's office. In 1962, the family moved to Fort Collins, where Helen obtained employment as a stenographer with the Larimer County Department of Social Services. She retired from that position in 1982 at age 70. Throughout her career, Helen was valued for her attention to detail, common sense and strong work ethic. In her retirement years, she enjoyed traveling, particularly air travel, and visited Hawaii, Alaska, New York and many other parts of the United States. She always enjoyed the beauty of the Colorado mountains and, with her husband, frequently visited the Buena Vista area. Helen will be remembered for committing her life to the care and support of her family. She was a devoted wife and mother and took delight in her grandchildren. Her sons and daughter credit their success in life to their mother's strength, guidance and example. Private graveside services were held in Buena Vista, and a memorial service is being planned at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Fort Collins. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Foothills Gateway in Fort Collins. Chaffee County Times