Suzanne P. Burns

On Tuesday, January 20, 2026, Suzanne Pappas Burns, 79, of Lewes, Delaware, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family. While our hearts are broken, we also feel profound gratitude for the life she lived and the love she gave us all so freely.

Suzanne was born on March 1, 1946, in Smyrna, Delaware, the oldest daughter of John "Smokey" Pappas and Cornelia Anderson Pappas.

For 58 years, she shared a life of deep devotion with her husband, Larry Burns. Together, they built a home rooted in love, laughter, and an open-door policy for anyone who needed a seat at the table. Suzanne was the North Star for her family-the devoted mother of Nicole and Lauren, and the doting 'Mommom' to her granddaughter, Katy. While she gave birth to two girls, she was a second mother to PJ, Tami, Chris, Tonia, and Steph, loving them as if they were her own. In fact, she was "another mother" to so many of Nicole and Lauren's friends throughout her life.

To her daughter Nicole, Suzanne was more than a mother; she was her best friend and her "roar" when she needed a bigger voice in this world. Suzanne was a lifelong advocate, a fierce protector, and a voice for Nicole within the Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) community. For 51 years, Suz navigated the complexities of PWS with a steady kind of grace, becoming a pillar of support for new parents and a tireless champion for those living with the syndrome. Her attention to detail in Nicole's life was a gift, driven by a heart that knew no bounds. It will truly take a village to carry on the work she did single-handedly for Nicole. Nicole will miss her life's truest companion in more than a million ways.

To so many, Suz was a "safe place." She was home. She remembered every birthday, noticed when you were quiet, and she showed up without being asked. She was our "emergency contact" in every sense of the word. Her ability to know and understand all those that she loved was her hearts gift to all of us. We will miss the special touches she put on everything-from the endless supply of food in her refrigerator to the smell of clean clothes throughout her home, and the warmth of Nicole's pajamas that she always put in the dryer on cold nights. She was the "laundry diva," a holiday planner, and an extraordinary hostess who made ordinary moments feel like they mattered.

Suz had an undeniable sense of humor and whit. Her presence demanded attention the moment she walked into a room-not through noise, but through the sheer size of her heart. Suzanne was love, walking around on two legs. She loved to play tennis and play golf. She loved a good sale at Marshalls or TJ Maxx, Dolly's caramel popcorn on the boardwalk, a good margarita especially at "the Taxi," and a phone call from a friend or one of her kids that went on for hours. Her "call me when you get home" wasn't just something she said when you walked away from her; it was a promise of protection.

Suzanne is survived by her husband, Larry Burns; daughters, Nicole Burns and Lauren Burns-Evans; and her granddaughter, Kaitlyn Suzanne Evans, to whom she was "the world." She is also survived by her siblings: Cheryl Pappas Jones, Penny Pappas Shaw, and Peter J. Pappas (Marilyn); her beloved nieces and nephews: Tami (Laurie), Chris (Wynne), Tonia (JT), Stephanie, Brandon (Christee), John "Little Smoky" (Karen), John (Jessica), and Nik (Laura); her great-nieces: Erin, Madison, Taylor, Amanda, Brandee, Charlotte, Skylar, and Khloe; and great-nephews: Alex, Derek, Zak, Gralyn, Christion, and Logan; as well as many life-long friends and nieces and nephews from Larry's side that meant the world to her too.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother John "Little Smokey" Pappas, her nephew Mark Jones, and her great-nephew Justin Kirk.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Suzanne's 80th birthday on Sunday, March 1, 2026 at The Clubhouse at Baywood, Millsboro, DE from 1- 4 pm. While all those that loved her are welcome, we ask that you RSVP by February 20, 2026, so the caterers can prepare accordingly. To RSVP please visit this link.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made at https://everloved.com/life-of/suzanne-burns/ as a group in Suzanne's honor, or directly to The Prader-Willi Syndrome Association, USA, Sarasota, Florida, in her name.

Suz made us feel grounded, seen, and profoundly loved. In her final hours, we insisted she take her "spirit cell phone" with her, because even though she's gone, we'll definitely be calling.