Susan (Kilbourn) Burkhard died on March 9, 2026, after a courageous 30-year battle with Parkinson’s disease. Through her extraordinary kindness, compassion and strength, Susan was an inspiration to all who knew and loved her.
Susan was born to the late Alice and Richard Kilbourn on March 30, 1947, in Torrington, Connecticut. The eldest of five children, she was raised in Bantam, Connecticut. Susan was independent and adventurous, an avid girl scout, and enjoyed athletics and theatre arts. An excellent student, she obtained a scholarship to Wheelock College, in Boston Massachusetts and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education in June of 1969. She later became one of the first 50 female graduates of the Citadel, earning a Master of Arts in Education in May of 1973.
On June 15, 1969, Susan married her husband of 57 years, Rear Admiral (Ret) Thomas Burkhard and began a 40-year adventure with the U.S. Navy. A supportive officer’s wife, she loved her extended Navy ‘family.’ Sue, Tom and their two daughters loved Guam and traveled extensively throughout Asia. Later, she would enjoy exploring Europe while stationed in London.
Sue’s passion and professional focus was Early Childhood Education. She taught preschool in Connecticut and Guam and college students at San Diego State University and The University of Maryland. For many years, she was Assistant Program Director at the San Diego Miramar College Child Development Center teaching four-year-old’s. Her compassion, kindness and wonderfully warm spirit will impact generations to come through the children and students she mentored and guided.
Upon retirement, Susan and Tom settled in Swansboro, North Carolina where she became a member of ‘Friends of The Swansboro Library’, volunteered at Hammocks Beach State Park, and enjoyed her book club. Although her disease made mobility difficult, she never complained and was always happy to be present, greeting everyone with a smile. Her greatest joy was spending time with her five grandsons and guiding her daughters through motherhood. She was overjoyed to be a part of her grandsons’ lives, attending their sporting events and grandparents’ days at school. She was the heart of the home, a constant and loving presence for her family.
Susan is survived by her husband, Thomas; daughters, Jenifer and Kate; siblings, Patricia, David and John; her five grandsons. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Susan’s name to ‘Friends of The Swansboro Library’ friends-of-swansboro-library.mailchimpsites.com. There will be a Celebration of Life Ceremony in Bantam, CT on a date to be announced.