Dorothy Burns

Obituary of Dorothy McArtor BurnsDorothy McArtor Burns, maiden name Doris McArtor, age 95, living in Mill Creek, WA, died of natural causes on Wednesday, November 2, 2016.  Dorothy was born December 11, 1920 in Burns City, Indiana. Her parents were Edgar and Sarah McArtor.  She grew up on a farm in Indiana during the Great Depression. Dorothy married Robert S. Burns in Mexico, in 1945.  She married her second husband, Bill Mirengoff, in Bethesda, Maryland in 1994.Throughout her life, education was Dorothy’s passion.  She received a BA in English and Latin from Indiana State University, a BS in Physical Sciences from the University of Illinois, an MA from San Diego State University & the University of Southern California.  She received her Doctorate in Education (Ed.D) from the University of Oregon in 1963.Dorothy was the first woman President of a State College in Vermont. Her distinctions included California and National Scholarships, Delta Kappa Gamma Honorary Society, 1962, 1963, Fellowship, University of Oregon, 1962-1964.  She was the honored recipient of the Golden Torch Award in 1968 for leadership by the Oregon State Business and Professional Women.  Outstanding Educator Award, 1975 as well as being listed in Leaders in Education, Who’s Who in the West, and World’s Who’s Who of Women.Her affiliations included:  Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, Association of California School Administrators, Women Leaders in Education, President of Evergreen Valley Retired Teachers Association 1989-1991.  National Education Association, Task Force on Year-Round Schools.  National Academy of Sciences, Advisory Committee on Evaluation of Employment and Training Programs.  Dean of Education Advisory Committee, San Jose State University.Dorothy’s career in education spanned 40 years, and included teaching English, Science, Latin, Mathematics, as well as being a Counselor.  Later in her career, in administrative roles, she was the Director of Tongue Point Job Corps Center, Regional Manpower Administrator for US Department of Labor (Job Corps Northwest States). President/Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Education, Castleton State College, Vermont. Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent of Santa Clara County Office of Education (San Jose City College, Evergreen Valley College), San Jose, California.Dorothy resided in Burns City, Indiana. Washington, DC. San Diego, California. Eugene, Oregon. Watsonville, California. Astoria, Oregon. Fall City, Washington. Castleton, Vermont. San Jose, California. Mill Creek, Washington.Dorothy loved to read. She also followed politics closely and loved political discussion. She supported various organizations that helped Veterans, underprivileged children, especially those that emphasized education and empowering people. She embodied some great qualities; caring, empathy, fairness and consistency. Long after she retired, she was an advisor to many and many requested her help on career choices as well as advice on life.Dorothy is survived by her daughter Mariana Burns-Kerkow, and her son Robert M. Burns and his wife Ana Burns, as well as her grandchildren Tammy, Allen, Robbie, and Alexandra and her  great grandson Cody.Dorothy is predeceased by her husband Robert S. Burns, November, 1971, her second husband, Bill Mirengoff, September, 1995, and her great grandchild Xocitl Ann “Xochie” Lutgen Smith, January 2013.  She is predeceased by her siblings, Walter P. McArtor, Vivian McArtor, Alvin E. (Chris) McArtor, as well as her parents, Edgar and Sarah McArtor. Dorothy asked that instead of flowers or gifts, that you make a donation to the California Retired Teachers Association:http://calrta.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/settle_donation.pdf