Marian Burke

Marian Burke Ojai, CA It is with great sorrow that the Burke family announces the passing of Marian Burke on May 20, 2011. Marian was born August 10, 1920 to William Clinton Burke and Jennie Hunt Burke in Gary, Indiana. She had three older brothers who doted on her and she often described her childhood as charmed. She and her parents moved to California during her high school years and she then attended UCLA. Marian went to work for the old Los Angeles Mirror, the afternoon paper started by Times Mirror in 1953. Her first position was secretary for Ed Murray, the managing editor. She was then recruited to be personal assistant to Mrs. Dorothy Chandler, wife of the L.A. Times then-publisher, Norman Chandler. Marian remained with Mrs. Chandler for the next 30 years. Marian described her job interview with Mrs. Chandler as being difficult and stiff. She had just about concluded that she was going to be turned down when Mrs. Chandler said, “I suppose you’ll do,” and on that frosty note began a relationship spanning three decades. During the 1960’s, she was Mrs. Chandler’s indispensable gatekeeper and Rolodex in the planning and funding of the L.A. Music Center. It was said that Marian knew the phone number of every donor prospect among the city’s financial elite of the time. She was often called upon to break bad news to influential donors who Mrs. Chandler felt had asked too much in return for their generosity. Marian was a founding member of the Committee of Professional Women of Los Angeles Philharmonic Association and continued her membership and support of the organization until her death. She loved music and was an avid reader, and often devoured a book in one day. Always a perfect lady, her integrity and generosity were admired by all who knew her. Marian is pre-deceased by her parents and brothers, Kenneth, Edwin and William. She is survived by eight nieces and seven grand-nieces and nephews. Funeral service will be held Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at 11:00 am at Ojai Presbyterian Church, 304 North Foothill Road, Ojai, California. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made in her honor to the Humane Society of Ventura County Animal Shelter, 402 Bryant Street, Ojai, CA 93023 or Ojai Music Festival, 201 South Signal Street, Ojai, CA 93023. Assisting the family with funeral services is Ojai Valley Funeral Services 805-640-3600