COUNTYWIDE : Fund Established in Memory of Teen

The parents of a developmentally disabled teen-ager who died last summer of asphyxiation during a seizure have established a fund in their daughter’s name to support the Ventura County Special Olympics.

The Jamie Burton Memorial Fund was set up by David and Jo Burton through the Ventura County Community Foundation, an organization formed three years ago to solicit private donations for the arts and other community projects.

Jamie, a Rio Mesa High student, was active in Special Olympics track and field, bowling and gymnastics before she died Aug. 21 at age 17, foundation spokeswoman Kate McLean said.

The Ventura County Special Olympics 1990-91 bowling competition Saturday at Buena Lanes in Ventura will be dedicated to Jamie, McLean said.

Jamie’s mother said her daughter also spent time volunteering for various organizations and won several awards for being the most helpful. She worked at the Head Start preschool program at the Camarillo Airport, Jo Burton said, and enjoyed helping the elderly.

“We had to be careful about Jamie’s ‘helping,’ ” she said. “Jamie had the physical strength of a 17-year-old and the judgment of a 5-year-old.”She worked at a retirement facility where she would push one man’s wheelchair real fast. He loved it, but the staff had to ask her to stop.”