In Loving Memory of Debra Ann Burnham

Ms. Debra Ann Burnham, 64, passed away suddenly on December 25, 2018. Born in Pueblo on February 8, 1954 to Howard LeRoy Burnham and Martha Jean (nee Hotchkiss) Burnham, Ms. Burnham grew up in Pueblo and Colorado Springs, attending Harrison High School but graduating in Louisiana. In 1972, Debra married Douglas Paxton and had two children, Audrey and Douglas. They were married until 1993. Later, Debbie met her life partner, Mike Penix; they were together until Mike passed in 2009.

A homemaker while her children were young, Debbie went back to work, first at Estes Rockets in Penrose, where she spent eleven years, then at Walmart, where she remained for nineteen years. Her first position at Walmart was as a department head; then, after going back to school, she became a pharmacy technician; eventually she worked as a night stock person before her retirement.

Debbie was a kind, loyal and self-sacrificing mother, daughter, sister, wife and friend. She was quiet and reserved, but on occasion she would show her “little Sassy self”. She loved all animals intensely, adopting stray animals and always having dogs and cats in her family. She was a devoted Broncos fan and really enjoyed watching them play. She loved the outdoors and enjoyed fishing and hunting and riding the Harley with Mike. She loved spending time with her family whenever possible and always preferred her own home and family to anyone and anyplace else.

Debbie is survived by her devoted children, daughter Audrey Paxton, son Douglas Paxton II and his wife Leslie (nee Tawwater); her step-mom, Eleanor Burnham; her sisters, Connie Pickett, Lisa Wood and Michele Kissman; her brother Marcus Burnham and sister-in-law Janice Burnham; her grandkids, Lyssa Pacheco & Jordan Mecham; her great-granddaughter Ophelia Jane Freeman; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Gone before her are her father, Lee Burnham; her mother, Martha Mikita, for whom Debbie was a caregiver; her brother, Bob Burnham; her stepdad, Jim Mikita, and her loving life partner, Mike Penix.

There will be a Celebration of Life Service on Saturday, January 5, 2019 at 11:45 A.M. at the Elks Lodge in Florence, CO, 131 E. Front Street, 81226, with a reception immediately following.