GAYLA HELENE (BURLINGHAM) VIDAL -

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GAYLA HELENE (BURLINGHAM) VIDAL 1938 - 2009 During the evening of August 18, Gayla Burlingham passed away peacefully in her home. Her memory is cherished by her brothers and sister-in-law, David (Dianne) Burlingham and Garth Burlingham, their families, her cousin Sheila Scott, and many other cousins, nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind a rich network of family and friends in Winnipeg, MB. Gayla was born in Sudbury, Ontario on September 12, 1938 to Clark and Emyg (nee Thomas) Burlingham. During the early years of her childhood, she lived in a household headed by her mother and her Aunt Gwen Axworthy. She and her cousin Lloyd Axworthy were raised almost as brother and sister while their fathers were serving overseas during the Second World War. Gayla and Lloyd were surrounded in the neighbourhood by their grandparents and a multitude of aunts, uncles and cousins on their mothers' side of the family. This early theme of family was an enduring influence then, and continued throughout her whole life. Gayla devoted a good part of her gifts and zestful energy into family functions and family genealogy. After completing her education in Eston, SK and Stettler, AB she commenced a successful professional career in banking, first with Royal Bank branches in Alberta, then with the United California Branches in Southern California. While in California, she met and married her first husband Don Voorhees in 1960. She and Don's life took them from California to Florida to Chatham, Ontario. Upon Don's sad, untimely death, she moved to Saskatoon where her parents had retired. She then went to Winnipeg to work on her cousin Lloyd's campaign for a few weeks and ended up staying for nearly 25 years. She ran his constituency office effectively and saw her cousin through numerous elections. In that time she helped multitudes of people and learned to navigate through bureaucracy to serve constituents. Later on she was appointed to the Immigration Appeal Board and served ably on it for nearly five years. She met and married her second husband Gord Vidal in 1986. Through his wise and gentle mentorship he took her on dozens of canoe and camping trips and launched in her a deep and abiding love of nature which she embraced as her religion . During that time, Gayla and Gord travelled the world and saw a huge array of places and cultures on six continents. When that partnership ended in 2004, Gayla moved back to Saskatoon and began a new life in retirement closer to her brothers and the Burlinghams. She continued her zest for genealogy and she self-published numerous family histories. Gayla enjoyed her yard, playing cards, movies, family visits and traveling. Her family and friends, while mourning her passing, celebrate her life. The family wishes to thank the staff of the Palliative Care Unit of the Saskatoon Health Region for their impeccable, professional and caring guidance during Gayla's final months. A memorial service will be held at the Saskatoon Funeral Home on Saturday, August 29, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family gratefully welcomes donations to the Saskatoon S.P.C.A, 5208 Clarence Avenue, Saskatoon, SK S7T 1A7. Expressions of condolence may be sent to mail@saskatoonfuneralhome.com. Arrangements entrusted to SASKATOON FUNERAL HOME, 244-5577.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 22, 2009