Dorothy Mahl, OH- Victim

Tuesday, October 11, 2005

Dorothy Mahl, 88, was teacher in Covington
West Nile virus suspected

By Rebecca Goodman
Enquirer staff writer

FORT WRIGHT - Dorothy Burk Mahl, a retired teacher at John G. Carlisle School in Covington, died Friday evening at St. Elizabeth Medical Center South in Edgewood. The cause was West Nile virus, according to her brother, Willard Burk of Fort Thomas. The Fort Wright resident was 88.

She was a "very nice person, very friendly and smart," her brother said. After his wife died when his daughter, Carolyn Cruse of Villa Hills, was a child, Mrs. Mahl helped to raise her.

"Dorothy always was willing to take Carolyn - take her shopping or do anything with her. She was a second mother to my daughter."

Born in Covington to William and Alma Burk, Mrs. Mahl graduated from Eastern State Teachers College in Richmond. She taught fifth grade at Carlisle until about 20 years ago.

She liked to garden and to play bridge. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma and Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. She also was a member and former secretary of the Covington Art Club.

She became ill about 10 days ago. "She was very spry and did a lot of yard work," her brother said.

Northern Kentucky health officials say tests are being done to confirm that her death resulted from West Nile, which is carried by mosquitoes.

Mrs. Mahl's husband, Karl Mahl, died in 1985.

Survivors include her brother; a son, Karl Mahl Jr. of Trabuco Canyon, Calif.; a sister, Betty O'Toole of Crestview Hills; and one grandchild.

Visitation is 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. today followed by the funeral at Swindler & Currin Funeral Home, Latonia. Burial will be at Highland Cemetery in Fort Mitchell.

Memorials: American Heart Association, 333 Guthrie St, Suite 207, Louisville, KY. 40202.

E-mail rgoodman@enquirer.com