Barbara Baker Burnham OBITUARY

Our hearts are deeply saddened as we bid farewell to Barbara Baker Burnham, the cherished matriarch of our expansive family, just one month shy of her 95th birthday. Barbara was a real lady and her enduring presence united us all until her final moments, leaving behind a legacy of boundless love and joyful gatherings that will resonate through generations.Barbara was born on July 25, 1929, in South Gate, CA, to Clara Brixey Baker and RC Baker Jr. She hailed from a lineage steeped in US history, proudly tracing her roots through generations, including ancestors who fought for the North in the Civil War. Her family was a pioneer in America’s oil industry and her grandfather revolutionized oil drilling, as we know it today, establishing Baker Oil Tools/Baker International in 1907 now known as “Baker Hughes”.Her upbringing was filled with magical moments, beach days, and lively family gatherings in Coalinga, California where she thrived amidst the company of her siblings: her brother Carl and sister Donna.Educated in South Gate, Whittier, and later at Principia Christian Science Academy in St. Louis, Barbara cultivated lifelong friendships and a love for community service but it was at Pasadena City College where she met the love of her life, Keith Orville Burnham. Their union in 1947 marked the beginning of a vibrant journey that saw the arrival of five children. Together, they created a home filled with warmth, adventure, and unwavering support for one another.Barbara instilled a love for exploration and traveled the world extensively with her husband Keith on behalf of Rotary International as well as embarking on so many memorable family vacations, including a unique three-month European tour with the entire family featured in the Times in 1968. Barbara also loved Maui which was her happy place, where she spent so much time enjoying the beach over the past 50 years. Barbara’s dedication to family extended beyond her own household. Actively involved in community through organizations like the National Charity League and PEO.After 54 years of marriage, Keith’s passing led Barbara to find love anew with Leon Lyon, with whom she shared more cherished years of travel, romance, and dancing at Bistango.Late in life, she found comfort and companionship with Don Faber, embracing simple joys and the comfort of hand-holding while watching their favorite news programs.Barbara leaves behind a cherished legacy cherished through her children: Kay Clawson (Ray), Brent Burnham (Eileen), Elise Juteau (Peter), Scott Burnham (Jody), and Jamie Burnham (Brian Philo). She also leaves behind 17 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, with more on the way, each a testament to her love and devotion to family.Barbara Burnham will always be fondly remembered as a real lady with unwavering optimism, boundless love for her family, and her ability to find joy at every gathering. Her spirit lives on in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing her. As we mourn her passing, we also celebrate a life lived to the fullest, enriched by love, laughter, and the profound impact she had on everyone blessed to be a part of her life.In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to:PEO Chapter QV, 505 Vista Grande, Newport Beach, CA 92660