Dortha Jane Apland

Dortha Jane (Burrow Truitt Lingor) Apland passed away on November 6, 2025 at the age of 88. She was generous and kind-hearted and was loved by many. She will be greatly missed. She was born on November 6, 1937, in Chowchilla, California, to Vernon Miller Burrow and Frances Louella (Kelly) Burrow. Dortha, ever the jokester, used to say she was literally born in a barn. That barn had been converted into a two-room residence on a vineyard where her father was working at the time. The family moved to Phoenix in 1938.

Dortha was a big proponent of education. She was part of the first graduating class of William T Machan Elementary School in 1951 in Phoenix. She graduated from North Phoenix High School in 1955, earned her bachelor’s degree at the University of Hawaii in 1969, and her master’s degree at Arizona State University in 1976.

Dortha said her greatest blessing was her children. She was predeceased by her son, David Truitt, in 2020. She is survived by her daughter, Deea McBride; grandchildren, Seaghán McBride, Jedidiah Truitt, and Seaji Truitt; seven great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

Throughout her life, Dortha worked in many fields – various clerical jobs, preschool bus driver, bookkeeper, accounting supervisor, switchboard operator, editorial assistant, and assistant to a school nurse, and more. Her most prominent role was serving as a teacher for 30+ years. Many people fondly remember her as the high school pom and cheer coach.

Dortha was deeply involved in her community. In addition to singing in her church choir, she volunteered in multiple capacities in her churches over the years and also served on the juvenile justice board for Maricopa County. She was philanthropic, generously donating to organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC). In her retirement community, she was active in the choir, the theater group, and at various times served as chair of the employee appreciation fund committee and the employee scholarship committee.

Dortha was passionate about music and singing. She also loved traveling around the world and took cruises to destinations such as the Mediterranean and the southern tip of South America.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at The Church at Litchfield Park, located at 300 N Old Litchfield Road, Litchfield Park, Arizona, 85340. The service is scheduled for January 10, 2026, at 11:00 am. Dortha desired her service to be filled with laughter and light-hearted stories. Those who wish to share condolences and/or a memory that makes you laugh are encouraged to do so at www.thompsonfuneralchapel.com