THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 17, 1995 TAG: 9509170006
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B4 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines
Ethel Marsh ``Breezy'' Burchett died Sept. 15, 1995, at the age of 92.
Born in Sharon Hill, Pa., Feb. 17, 1903, she was the daughter of William J. Rhodes and Ida L. Sonier. Mrs. Burchett was a graduate of Westchester State Teachers College and the University of Pennsylvania, and attended the College of William and Mary. She began her teaching career in a one-room school in Pennsylvania and taught elementary children in Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and Virginia.
Mrs. Burchett was a longtime resident of Norfolk and was retired from the civil service. She was a breeder and handler of A.K.C. Pointers and wrote under the by-lines ``K-9 Keyhole'' and ``Kennel Corner'' for The Virginian-Pilot in her early years.
``Breezy'' Burchett had a long and illustrious career in the sport of swimming. As one of the first women coaches, she was involved with the Norfolk YMCA Swim Team and founded the Norfolk YMCA Aquaducks. Breezy was head coach for the Barracuda Aquatic Club, the Norfolk Navy Neptunes and the Barracuda/Neptune Swim Team. She also helped establish the Norfolk Catholic High School and the Princess Anne High School swim teams. Breezy was also effective in the development of the Hampton Aquatic Club. Mrs. Burchett was also an early writer of swim meet results for The Virginian-Pilot.
Numerous contributions to the sport of swimming include serving on the AAU Rules & Regulations Committee and U.S. Swimming & Diving Committees. Breezy officiated at Olympics, Olympic Trials and national and state swimming events. She also served as an AAU Track and Field official.
Mrs. Burchett was a member and an inductee of the International Swimming Hall of Fame in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. She was a life member of the U.S. Swimming & Diving, College Coaches of America Swim Forum and the American Swimming Coaches Association. Breezy was a member of the Hall of Fame Dames and the Virginia Swimming Association.
Mrs. Burchett was the recipient of many awards for her contributions to the sport of swimming, including the ``Outstanding Service Award'' sponsored by Phillips Petroleum Company in 1981 and the ``Ken Pettigrue Award'' in 1983.
Breezy will best be remembered for her work with young swimmers. She was responsible for bringing the 1st National Age Group, 1st Place Time Patch to Norfolk, Va. She consistently produced swimmers ranking in the top 10 nationally, and the comment has been made that her experience will be greatly missed.
Mrs. Burchett is survived by her daughter, Glenn E. Pollock of Lititz, Pa.; and her grandaughters, Elizabeth A. Teague of Norfolk and Linda A. Turner of Florida.
Mrs. Burchett's remains will be interred at the International Swimming Hall Of Fame in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and a memorial service will be held there at a later date. Those wishing to make donations in her memory may do so to the International Swimming Hall of Fame in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., or the Norfolk S.P.C.A. Colonial Crematorium is in charge of arrangements. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY by CNB