Hope Whalen Burns

It is with sadness that we share the passing of Hope Whalen Burns in Bluffton, So. 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 hygenist at Bridgeport College in Connecticut while also obtaining a B.A there. She then worked as a dental hygenist while also obtaining her Master's in Education. She married and moved to Maine and worked as a professor of dental hygene before moving to Taunton, Massachusettes to work as Assistant Dean and then Dean of Health Sciences at Bristol Community College. Hope obtained her PhD. in Education from Vanderbuilt Universtiy. 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 So. 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 for 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 in Bluffton, So. Carolina.