BURCH, Margaret

Arizona Daily Sun, Flagstaff, AZ Sunday, May 23, 2010 Margaret Dodson Burch, 89, died Friday, May 21, 2010, at the Olivia White Hospice Home surrounded by her family. Mrs. Burch was born Aug. 19, 1920, in Newport, Texas, the seventh of 10 children born to Otha and Stacey Dodson and their last surviving child. She spent her childhood in Texas. In 1938, she relocated to New Mexico to run a boarding house for El Paso Natural Gas Company with her sister, Dora. There she met and in 1939 married the love of her life, Halbert "Hub" Burch. During Hub's career with El Paso Natural Gas Company, they lived in Texas, where son Halbert II and daughter Marsha were born, and in Arizona, where daughter Janice was born. In 1961, the family moved to Williams, where Hub supervised the El Paso Natural Gas Compressor station. There they continued to raise their three children until promotion brought them to Flagstaff in 1969. After Hub's retirement in 1979, they enjoyed traveling the country in their motorhome but were always happy to return to family and friends. For 49 years, they loved and cherished each other and provided a lasting example of a loving marriage to their children. Mrs. Burch was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She was an avid reader, showed her artistic side through sewing, china painting and a love of classical music. She always took great pride in her home. She is survived by her children, Halbert II (Cheryl) of Bloomfield, N.M., Janice (Robert) Wiley and Marsha (Dennis) Brown both of Flagstaff; 10 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and her great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Halbert, in 1988. Private graveside service for the family will be at Citizens Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to the Olivia White Hospice Home. Condolences can be sent to www.norvel owensmortuary.com. Norvel Owens Mortuary is handling arrangements.