Dorothy Aurelia Burch was the youngest child of Richard and Edith May Richardson on July 29th1920. She attended the Central School just a short distance away from her home on Angle Street. She went on to complete her education at the Berkeley Institute. She chose as her profession teaching. Upon her graduation from Berkeley she attended shortwood Teachers Training College in Jamaica. Aurelia married Wilfred “Sugar” Burch in June of 1947, and made their home on North Street in Hamilton close to where Aurelia was born and raised. He was a well known St. George’s Cup Match Player who predeceased her in July 1958.

Dorothy later enrolled in Special Education Courses in Toronto Canada and later she earned a Bachelor’s in Arts Degree from Queen’s University, Kingston Ontario. She also earned a Certificate in School management from the University of Toronto, and later a post -Graduate Diploma from Hull University in England. Aurelia taught at several schools. Girls Institute of Arts and Crafts, Prospect Secondary School for Girls, Prospect Boy’s Secondary School and Prospect Primary School.

She spent twelve years as Principle at Harrington Sound Primary School. She taught remedial evening classes at the Central School. Aurelia loved teaching children with all types of Abilities but one of her greatest rewards was teaching children with learning disabilities. This was long before the Adult Education School during the 1940’s and early 50’s and care learning Centre came into existence. She was dedicated and committed to the Bermuda Union of teachers.

Aurelia was a devote Christian woman she was a member of the St. Paul A.M.E. Church and regularly attended bible Study. She was a member of the Senior Choir for many years. She had a top notched Soprano voice and often was featured in duets at the church events. She also used her talents and performed on several occasions as the lead actress for the Studio Foundation for the Arts. She served on many church organizations. The Trustee board, Chairperson of the Richard Eve Scholarship Committee. The Conference Branch Sunday School Superintendent, this was a large responsibility as it involved overseeing all the A.M.E. churches. She was Vice President of the Lay Organization and chairperson of the Advisory Board for the St. Paul A.M.E. Church Child Care Centre.

Aurelia was involved in politics and throughout her life considered the Bermuda Progressive Labour Party(PLP) to be her extended family. Although it was believed that the founding fathers of the P.L.P. were five men it was recorded that Mrs. Aurelia Burch was the first female member of the party and first Treasurer. She always stood as a Candidate for the party in the constituency of Paget East in every election from 1972 ending in 1989 knowing inwardly that she would more than likely not win the seat because it was a strong hold for the Governing Party at that time but it at least gave voters in the area an option to cast their vote.

She rarely missed a Central committee meeting, a branch meeting or a public meeting and her contribution was always well thought out. She did not hesitate to give her time with various charities. Aurelia served with the Big Brothers and Sisters in 1980’s later becoming an honouray board member. She was a Justice of the peace and a member of the Permanent Arbitration Tribunal and a Commission of Crime- the Commission on the resolution of dispute between the Bermuda industrial Union and the Department of Marine and Ports as well as the Commission that looked into the dispute between the Bermuda Industrial Union and the Bermuda Telephone Co. Ltd. She also served on the Committee responsible for erecting the Sir George Somers Statute commemorating Bermuda’s 350th. Anniversary.

Aurelia was a member of the Bermuda National Gallery, since 1993 about a year after the founding. of the Bermuda National Gallery, retiring in 2007. Aurelia loved to travel and while with the National Gallery she travel to Toronto to see the Barns Collection in 1994. To Chicago to see the Monet Exhibition in 1995. She traveled to Peruvian Amazon in 2000, She loved music and dance. She visited New Zealand, Australia, Fiji ,Alaska, England, Panama, Egypt, Rio de Janeiro, Mexico and Africa.

Dorothy Aurelia (Tootie) Burch was a woman who touched the lives of many and she will be remembered always as a good teacher a kind and concerned person and faithful servant to her Church and community. She went on to her greatest reward on August 12th, 2008.

Researched Joy Wilson-Tucker (former student)