Hope Whalen Burns

It is with sadness that we share the passing of Hope Whalen Burns in Bluffton, South Carolina on June 20, 2026.

Beloved sister of Claire Whalen (Pierre Parent) and loving aunt of Christopher Parent. Her love and memory will long be treasured in our hearts.

Hope will also be fondly remembered by many cousins and friends.

Born in Washington, D.C. Hope spent her childhood years in Maryland, New York state, and New Jersey. She was certified as a dental hygienist at Bridgeport College in Connecticut while also obtaining a B.A there. She then worked as a dental hygienist while also obtaining her Master's degree in Education. She married and moved to Maine to work as an instructor of dental hygiene before moving to Taunton, Massachusetts to take the positions of Assistant Dean and then Dean of Health Sciences at Bristol Community College. Hope obtained her Ed.D in Higher Education Administration from Vanderbilt University. While at Bristol she created 8 health programs during her 25 years there, bringing the total to 12. She was an excellent administrator and was well respected by both staff and students.

Once retired, Hope decided to relocate to South Carolina where she had vacationed a few times previously. She enjoyed the lifestyle of the Sun City community, and she loved being close enough to the ocean to go there frequently. She hosted family members and took us to all the "touristy" places in the area. There were many good times filled with fun, laughter and love over the years.

There will be a funeral service for Hope on July 14, 2026, at 2:00 pm, held at the Church of the Cross, historic campus, 110 Calhoun Street, Bluffton, South Carolina.