Kathleen Margaret (Valentine) Burdick, 84, of Noank, passed away at home, on Thursday, July 5, 2011, surrounded by her family.
Kathleen was born in New London, in 1928, moving to Noank in 1936, and in 1938, meeting the love of her life, Victor Burdick. Studious and athletic, Kathleen graduated from Fitch High School in 1946, drum majorette for the twirling corps and marching band. Marrying Vic in 1948, they started their family and moved to west cove, Noank in 1951. From there, she raised the family amidst boats and pets, neighbors and neighborhood kids, the Noank Sailing Club, Ram Island Yacht Club, and still found time to volunteer at the Mystic Seaport (more boats) and the Noank Historical Society (more Noank), all the while fashioning the yards into wonderful gardens. The Burdick family Christmas parties were held annually at her Davis Court home until the one bathroom could no longer accommodate the extended family as it grew to exceed sixty-five attendees.
With the patience and commitment to keep the family safe, comfortable and happy, she enthusiastically managed the family operation as they traveled from Noank, to Idaho, to upstate New York, always back to Noank. And as her children grew and started their own families, those family skills and loving attention melded perfectly into the forty year role of "Gram", being as much "Mom" as "Gram" to her grandchildren. The consummate wife, Mom, Gram, and hostess, she was at her best giving of herself, whether something as simple as snacks for grandchildren or a dinner party for sixteen friends on their yawl Irish Lass. Family Fourth of July picnics at the house and the christmas party (now held at the Noank firehouse) brought the best of her skills and caring to the task. Grace at the table would always wait gratefully for her, the last to sit down. Clean kids, in clean clothes, leaving a clean house with the best lunches is a fond family remembrance.
Kathleen was pre-deceased by the love of her life, husband Victor.
She is survived by a brother Richard Robertson and wife, Judy, of Noank; and sister, Cynthia McGill and husband, John, of Maryland. She leaves behind sons Bryan with wife, Therese, of Noank, Wayne with wife, Joyce, of Mt. Pleasant S.C.; and daughter, Rev. Victoria with partner, Verne Ray of Groton. Also surviving are granddaughter, Sarah Caron with husband, Jeff; and great-grandchildren, Richard and Rebecca of Plymouth, N.H.; grandson, Joshua with wife, Jolynn; and great-granddaughters, Madeline and Samantha of Nashua, N.H.; granddaughter, Amanda Simas with husband, David; and great-grandson, Connor of Warwick, R.I.; and granddaughter, Morgan Morrone with partner, Jon Lavigne, of Berkeley, Calif. The list of loved and loving extended-family and friends spans the country from Noank to Hawaii, Florida to Maine.
Calling hours will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, July 9, at Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl St., Mystic. Services will be private at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Kathleen's name may be made to the Noank Baptist Church and/or the Noank Historical Society.
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