Sandra Kilburn Obituary

Sandra S. (Sutton) Kilburn died peacefully on June 28, 2025 surrounded by the love of her family in Fairfax, Virginia. Sandra was born in Auburn, Alabama on February 6, 1944 to June and Harold Sutton Jr. She was a 1962 graduate of Northside High in Atlanta, GA and went on to receive her Physical Therapy degree at Baylor University where she was also an active member of Kappa Theta sorority (which later became Delta Delta Delta). She began her 35+ year career in pediatric physical therapy at Egleston Children's Hospital in Atlanta and worked with special needs children in the public school systems in every station the family was assigned to.
She met Air Force officer Richard Kilburn on a blind double date while at Baylor and they married and began their adventures in 1970. Sandra was an outstanding role model to her children as she raised them, developed groundbreaking therapy through play, and earned her Master's Degree from the University of Hawaii. She was beloved in her field by both colleagues and patients.
Sandra remained active in leadership with Tri Delta and the National Panhellenic Conference for the rest of her life. She served Tri Delta in a variety of alumnae & collegiate volunteer positions; she was NoVA Alumnae Chapter President twice and the alumnae Panhellenic delegate for over 20 years. In 2002, Tri Delta recognized Sandra's contributions nationally when she was named First Runner up for the Ernestine Block Grigsby Award, Tri Delta's highest alumnae honor and in 2008 she was recognized as Northern VA's Panhellenic Woman of the Year. Sandra's advice and support have been invaluable to women of every generation for decades.
She was also involved with her local chapter of PEO, leading fundraisers for scholarships to young women and championing women mentorship and leadership. Sandra served as President of numerous Officers Wives Clubs. In all the family moves from Michigan to Alaska to Hawaii to Virginia and Nebraska, Sandra served from her heart with hope. Her great passion was empowering and guiding young people – as a Sunday school teacher, youth group leader, mentor and friend.
Throughout her life, she enjoyed water skiing, gardening, yoga, and was a voracious reader and Cocker Spaniel dog lover. Nothing made her happier than sitting on her back deck, gathering with her Magnificent 7 cronies or playing in the pool with her granddaughter.
Sandra is survived by husband Ret AF Col. Richard F. Kilburn, daughter Katherine (Kappy) Kilburn, son John Kilburn, daughter-in-law Kendra Kilburn and granddaughter Addison Kilburn as well as all her siblings: Harold Sutton III, Saye Sutton, Thomi Sue Sutton and Ed Sutton along with numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life will take place in the near future. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her honor to St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Tri Delta Foundation, PEO Foundation's Star Scholarship Award or OBG Cocker Rescue.