Susan Kilbourn Burkhard
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Susan (Kilbourn) Burkhard on March 9, 2026, after a courageous 30-year battle with Parkinson’s disease. Through her kindness, compassion, and strength, Susan was an inspiration to all who knew and loved her.
Susan (Sue), 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. Sue was independent and inquisitive, an avid reader and dedicated Girl Scout, and enjoyed athletics and theatre arts in high school.
An excellent student, Susan obtained a scholarship to Wheelock College, in Boston Massachusetts, graduating 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 Masters of Arts in Education in May of 1973.
Sue met her future husband of 57 years, Rear Admiral (Ret) Thomas Burkhard while on an Episcopal youth mission to the Rosebud Indian Reservation. They married on June 15, 1969 and began a 40-year adventure with the U.S. Navy. She was a supportive officer’s wife and cherished the Navy ‘family’’ that she and Tom gained while stationed in Japan, South Carolina, Connecticut, California, Guam, England and Hawaii. Sue, Tom and their daughters traveled extensively throughout Asia and the South Pacific, loved Guam, and enjoyed exploring Europe while they lived in London.
Sue’s passion and professional focus was Early Childhood Education. She taught preschool in Connecticut and Guam and college students at The University of Maryland and San Diego State. For many years, she was Assistant Program Director at the San Diego Miramar College Child Development Center, teaching four year olds. Her volunteerism also centered around children-Girl Scout Leader, swim instructor, and elementary school classroom and library volunteer.
Upon retirement, Sue and Tom settled in Swansboro, North Carolina where she volunteered at the Swansboro Library and Hammocks Beach State Park, and enjoyed 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.
Susan was a bright light, a constant calm and loving presence for her family and friends, and the heart of the home. Although we are heartbroken, we take comfort in knowing that her compassion, kindness and wonderfully warm spirit will be passed down through the children and students she mentored and guided, impacting generations to come.
Susan is survived by her husband Thomas; daughters Jenifer (Alex) Rousseau, Kate (Brandon) Neuman; siblings Patricia (Pat) Roden; David (Leslie) Kilbourn and John (Cindy) Kilbourn and her five loving grandsons Alexander and Aidan Rousseau and Thomas, Blake and William Neuman. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Debbie Kilbourn.
Susan will be laid to rest in Bantam, Connecticut and a celebration of life will occur at that later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Susan’s name to ‘Friends of The Swansboro Library’ http://friends-of-swansboro-library.mailchimpsites.com/ in honor of Susan’s love of public libraries and lifelong dedication to literacy and childhood education.