Kathryn L. Burden

Kathryn L. Burden, age 89, of Sharptown, NJ, passed away peacefully on February 14, 2026, with her loved ones by her side and into the arms and love of her Lord and Savior where she is now restored, renewed and more alive than ever. Kathryn was born at a farmhouse in Swedesboro, NJ on November 14, 1936 and is the daughter of John "Bud" Edward Fisher and Dorothy Laverne Fisher-Hoffman. She was an Air Force brat that grew up in several places with New Mexico being her most memorable. When she was 15, her parents moved to Sharptown and she attended the Woodstown High School Class of 1952. During this time she fell in love with Harry, the boy next door. His mother Olive took Kathryn under her wing and treated her like she was her own daughter, showing her love, respect and led her to church where she was saved and formed a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

At just sweet 16, Harry proposed on Mischief Night and the two were married on the Fourth of July in 1954 at Sharptown United Methodist Church where she had been a member for 70 years. These two young firecrackers were told that they were just too young, but have been married now for 72 years. They looked forward to their anniversary every year and would still make kissy noises and googoo eyes at each other. Kathryn also attended Hope Community Church and Illuminate on occasion where she formed long, lasting friendships.

Kathryn was employed at Parvin's Bakery at Cowtown, a custard stand in Woodstown owned by the Carlson family, and as a clerk at Heritage Dairy Store in Woodstown.

Kathryn was an avid reader and had a passion for writing, winning an award for a poem she wrote about her granddaughter Christian which was published in a book of poetry, as well as many stories she wrote for Readers Digest.

At Sharptown Church, she enjoyed volunteering at the chicken pot pie dinners, strawberry festivals, Bible School and visitations at the Salem County Nursing Home, delivering cupcakes, smiles and prayers to residents and staff, with her friend Dottie Morgan for many years. She loved the Lord with all her heart and wanted to share her joy with others.

Being a two-time cancer survivor, she volunteered for the Relay for Life, American Cancer Society and Hearts United Against Cancer where, along with her daughter Connie, was awarded for outstanding dedication to community for making thousands of cards to be delivered to individual homes, nursing homes and hospital along with a comfort basket of gifts; an honor shared with the Woodstown Baptist Church.

There were so many things that gave her joy. She loved worshipping with her church family, attending Bobbitt's Bible Study with her sisters in law Geraldine and Beatie, and listening to the preaching of Jack Bobbitt, Richie Stevenson, Doug Smith, John Robbins, Eric Segool, and many before them. She enjoyed all types of music; she favored the likes of John Bobbitt, her friend Trish DeCinque, Harbor Lights, Terry Buckner and Dave Layton and her crush Blake Shelton. She looked forward to the next season of The Voice each year. She loved her cats over the years, especially Cassie, Casper, Behr and her beloved Katie.

She absolutely loved anything beautiful, flowers, fashion, fine China, cut glass, exquisite table settings, as well as anything Victorian and tea party related.

In her final years, Kathryn's world became smaller and she cherished the time with her loved ones more and more. She spent most of her time with a village of friends and family who helped make her life bigger and brighter with visits, cards, hugs, phone calls, texts, meals, yard care and flowers. We are so thankful for each and everyone who brought her love and kindness. And, for the special moments with her great grandson Ben, who was the highlight of her days. They were a pair. They loved, played and cared for each other and had such a heartwarming, undeniable bond.

Kathryn was predeceased by three grandsons, Ronald L. Burden, Daniel A. Burden and John J. Bell, her sister in law Bernice Wright and her son in law David C. Sassi.

She is survived by her husband of 72 years, Harry E. Burden; her children Robert Burden Sr. (Debra), her daughters Cynthia Bell (Sam) and Constance Sassi; her grandchildren Robert Burden Jr., Margie Gaunt (Christopher), Holly Fogg (Justin) and Christian Barbara (Adam); her great grandchildren Alyssa Fogg, Morgan Fogg, Kaylee Fogg, Autumn Burden and Benjamin Barbara; and her brother John Fisher (Terry).

Her greatest legacy is passing on her faith and steadfast love of the Lord to others. She was loved by everyone who knew her and will be remembered for being short, extremely sweet-natured with a side of humor and an awesome smile, and a heart of pure gold with those beautiful blue eyes.

Services will be held on Monday, February 23, 2026 at the Sharptown Church, 46 Auburn Road, Woodstown, NJ 08098. There will be a visitation starting at 1 PM leading to the funeral service at 2 PM. Interment will follow the service at the Sharptown Cemetery. Following the burial, friends and family are invited to a luncheon at the Hope Community Church, 3 Point Airy Road, Pilesgrove, NJ 08098.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made in Kathryn's memory to the Sharptown Church, 46 Auburn Road, Woodstown, NJ 08098 or to the Salem County Humane Society (Please write "Cat Division" in the memo), PO Box 214, Carneys Point, NJ 08069.

Please share condolences at www.adamsfuneralhome.org.