Kathleen Ellen Kelly Burgh was born on April 15, 1940 in San Francisco. She went home to the Lord on July 30, 2024 due to complications from a fall. She was 84 years old. She was known to friends and family as “Kathleen,” “Kit,” “Kathy,” or “Kitty.” She lived in Eureka for 69 years and was a faithful parishioner of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church.

Kit’s parents moved to Seattle, Washington, and then to Eureka when she was 15. She graduated from St. Bernard’s High School and attended Humboldt State College. At 23, she married the love of her life, Richard Burgh, and settled down to create and nurture what was most important to her: a healthy, loving family.

Her lifelong friend Genie Wood describes her as radiant. “She always had beautiful hands and used them well to make jewelry. We read every cookbook there is together.” She enjoyed sewing clothes for her family, trying new recipes from her cookbook collection, and engaging in handmade crafts such as ceramics and beadwork. For decades, she gave her creations to her family and friends. Kit spent an entire year hand-sewing a beautiful quilt as a wedding gift for her sister. Her life revolved around being there for everyone she loved. She was talkative and outgoing, and viewed everyone as a potential new friend. Kathy had a beautiful faith journey.

She leaves behind Richard, her (hard-working), devoted husband of 60 years.
years; her daughter Julie Burgh, who lovingly cared for her parents for decades; her daughter Kelly and her husband Paul Brochard and their three children Thomas, Christian and Laura; and her sister Pat Whittemore.

Kit has fulfilled her life’s dream and leaves behind a family that is deeply blessed by her life and will love her dearly forever.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by the Sanders Funeral Home with great care and respect.

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