Dorothy Jean Burley, 84, passed away Saturday, September 28, 2024, at the Benefis Hospital in Great Falls, Montana. Her memorial service will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at the Benton Funeral Home Chapel with Kit Miller officiating. Memorial contributions in Dorothy's honor may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital.  Please visit Dorothy's online memorial at www.bentonfh.com to send a card or leave a message of condolence for her family.

On November 29, 1939 in Alameda, California Dorothy Jean was born to Thomas and Evelyn (Jirousky) Moran. She was their only child. As a young girl she moved with her parents to Montana.

She married Donald Carl Burley, in 1960 and together they made their home in Highwood, Montana where they settled on a beautiful ranch on Highwood Creek at the top of Burley Hill. Dorothy worked with Donald on the ranch and raised their two children Gerald and Deborah.  Dorothy became a young widow when her husband suddenly passed in 1974. Dorothy moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1977 and went to work for State Farm Insurance Company as an office manager. She worked there for many years until retiring in 2002.

Dorothy had an adventurous spirit. She loved to travel and took many cruises: the Panama Canal, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, and Europe. She enjoyed the freedom of cruising to see several different places. She dabbled in a little gambling with the penny and nickel slots. And enjoyed watching Rachel Ray, cooking shows on television and would often find a new recipe to try. In her younger years she was a member of the Highwood Home club that always did crafts and things like ceramics, paper mâché' flowers and other home crafty things.

She never wanted to re-marry so her 38-year life partner, Rod Winterowd, and Dorothy enjoyed many years together traveling and just being a support for one another.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband Donald Carl Burley.

Dorothy is survived by her son, Gerald (Jane) Burley and daughter, Deborah Burley. Three grandchildren; Joshua, Jason and Jen. Three great grandchildren; great - granddaughter Nova, and two great grandsons; Asher and Tanner. Her life partner for 38 years, Rod Winterowd.