Dolores "Dee" Burlingame

Dolores "Dee" Crosby Burlingame, 94, of Route 120, Emporium, PA passed away at Guy & Mary Felt Manor, Emporium, PA on Sunday morning (December 11, 2022). She was born May 1, 1928 in Youngsville, PA a daughter of the late Ivan and Rachel Coleman Crosby. On October 12, 1947 in Emporium she married the late Leo Wiliam "Bill" Burlingame.

As a child, Dolores lived in several places such as Pittsfield, Youngsville, Driftwood, Canisteo New York, with various family members as her father sought work due to the depression. She was the flower girl for her father and new stepmother Lillian Nordberg, and came to live with them in Emporium, when she was 12 years old. Dee graduated from Emporium High School in 1946.

Dee worked at the Chat & Chew Restaurant, at Sylvania on the production line, and later owned Dee's General Store in Truman for  over 25 years.

Dee would describe herself as a helper as a foster parent, the neighborhood mom, election board worker, 4-H leader, Cub Scout Den mother, Boy Scout and Girl Scout leader. She and her husband Bill encouraged and supported all six children in every activity and interest they pursued, including rescuing all types of wildlife.  Their home became the community center for all the Truman children. Dee's store was known as the meeting place for all folks young and old where the coffee was always hot.

Dee was a member of the Truman Community Church, Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, and later the Methodist Church on Moore Hill. She held  several offices in the Democratic party until recently changing to non-affiliation. She is a member of the American Legion Auxiliary of Youngsville. She and husband Bill along with some of their kids enjoyed dancing and were members of the Alleycats square dance group for many years. She supported the Cameron County Ambulance and Fire Department, the Arbor Day Foundation, the Worldwide and National Wildlife Foundations.

She is survived by a five sons, Rod Burlingame (Jeanie), Reynoldsville; Dave Burlingame, Emporium; John "Greg" Burlingame (Cassie), Emporium; Les Burlingame (Janie), DuBois; Scott Burlingame (Nicky), Weedville; one daughter, Raeanne Burlingame, Emporium; 20 Grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and husband she was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Michael Lutheran; daughter-in-law, Vicky (Emery) Burlingame; two brothers, Lynn and Harlow Crosby; stepmother Lillian; half sister, Diane Kuchenbecker; 3 half brothers, Gary, Allan, and Paul Crosby.

There will be No Visitation at Dee's request, but rather remember that “My celebration of life was my 90th birthday party when I saw so many of my friends and family having fun with me and Mickey Mouse who is 14 days younger than me." A gathering of friends and family will be at the Moore Hill Church in May, followed by burial in the Sanford Cemetery, Truman

If desired, Memorials may be made to the Moore Hill Church to support the Coats for Kids project, the Shoebox Project, and other needs of the church.

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