Dorothy (Sievert Burke) Winn

Dorothy (Sievert Burke) Winn died on Feb 01, 2018, after a brief illness, surrounded by her family. Though her given name was Dorothy Elizabeth, everyone knew her as Totch. Born in Santa Barbara, California on October 08, 1926, to German immigrants Ludwig and Berta Sievert she got her nickname early in life from her younger cousin, western artist David Halbach. It stayed with her for her entire life.

Totch was a wonderful mother, a generous and loving grandmother who cherished her grands and great grands. She loved animals, fast cars and crooked roads, and in her prime was one heck of a bowler. She did several crossword puzzles daily (in ink, it must be noted) and was nearly impossible to best at Scrabble. She had a wicked sense of humor and loved a good laugh. Totch liked people and never met a stranger, she was a party person, the consummate hostess and in later years an unforgettable guest. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her and loved her.

Totch is survived by her children Kevin Burke (Kathleen), Rene’ Ellis, Wyman Winn (Linda), and Walt Winn (Deanna), grandchildren Brianna, Nicole, Stefanie, Sheena, Lindsay, Jordan, and Sage, great grandchildren Claire, Drake, Emma, and Archer, and a new great grandson to be welcomed in May, cousins David Halbach, Carl Richard Halbach, and nephew John Laughlin (Lori), whom she invited into her home when he was 16 and loved like her own. She was predeceased by former spouse John Burke, her husband Walter Winn Sr., son Patrick, grandson Zac Winn, and great grandson Colt Bayles.

The family would like to thank the caring staff at the Pete Moore Hospice House for their tender, loving care in the last hours of her time on this earth, as well as all the friends who made a point to stop by, call or write her over the past many months and made her days better by doing so. A special thanks to her wonderful neighbor Glenda Sellene, an angel on earth, for her help with rides, errands and most of all, her friendship, companionship, and kindness. Totch cherished all of you and we thank you for making her life better by being part of it.

From Totch to all of us: “Accept what is, let go of what was, and have faith in what will be.”