Kathleen Burklow

Kathleen Burklow, age 95 of Pompton Plains, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, November 7, 2024. At the time of her passing, she was surrounded by her incredibly loving family. Kathleen was a faithful and trusting servant of Jesus Christ, always placing the needs of others above her own, benevolently sharing the Gospel.

Kathleen was one of four children born in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, to Homer and Elizabeth (Schnell) Smith, spending her early years surrounded by the beauty of Idaho's lakes and forests. Her father's work in the lumber industry initially kept the family rooted in Idaho, but the challenges of the Great Depression brought changes. When Kathleen was in middle school, her family relocated to Nutley, New Jersey, after her father secured employment at Port Newark through the support of his lumber industry connections. Kathleen's journey across the country reflected the resilience and adaptability that would become hallmarks of her life.

She graduated from Nutley High School in 1947 and worked for Hoffmann La Roche as well as Mutual Benefit Insurance Company. Prior to marriage, she moved with her family to Oxford, NJ where her father was able to secure work in the coal industry.

Kathleen and her husband Miles “Tom” Burklow, were high school sweethearts, having met in the 10th grade. She was a drum majorette, and Tom was star of the football team. They both attended the Brookdale Baptist Church in Bloomfield and were married there on October 7, 1950. They enjoyed a ‘road trip’ style honeymoon, traveling through New England and all the way up to Canada before returning home to live in Clifton. In 1959, they settled in Pompton Plains to raise their family. Throughout the years, they’ve enjoyed family vacations to Long Beach Island, the Caribbean, and untold visits to various historic sites. Tom and Kathleen’s marriage and family life was rooted in Christ’s love - a firm foundation, which enabled them to spend seventy loving and blessed years together until God called Tom home in March of 2021. They had been active members of The Chapel in Lincoln Park since 1971, and Kathleen lived out her faith each and every day.

Kathleen’s life was marked by countless selfless endeavors. She volunteered as a Pink Lady at Chilton Hospital in Pompton Plains. Through the years, when various friends of their own sons struggled with painful or difficult life circumstances, they could always find Kathleen and Tom offering an open door to their home. There they were able to experience Kathleen and Tom’s living example of love, warmth and support, prompting many to embrace them as second parents. Many of their son’s friends will recall Mrs. Burklow showing up at school in her blue, two-door Morris Mini Minor (the predecessor of today’s Mini Cooper). It was the tiniest of cars but, never refusing a kid a ride, she’d gladly pack scads of youngsters into that car. Kathleen and Tom were loyal fans of Pequannock Township High School football and wrestling, where they practically wore out their seats in the bleachers at Panther Stadium and the Pequannock Gymnasium. They had been enthusiastically cheering on generations of aspiring athletes in town, and their presence in the stands will be dearly missed.

When Kathleen and Tom moved to Pompton Plains in 1959, they embraced their new community and they created the "Burklow's Gym" - building a literal addition onto their house, creating an over-sized garage to accommodate a Universal, two Olympic free-weight sets, a wrestling mat, and other exercise equipment.  The "gym" was open to anyone who was willing to keep the rules (no cursing; no drugs, cigarettes or alcohol brought on the property; leave the gym as clean, or cleaner, than you found it). The "gym" was self-policed by those who trained out of their respect for Mr. and Mrs. Burklow. It drew young athletes and weight trainers from multiple municipalities. Plus, you could walk into the "gym" on a summer day and find an Olympic athlete, an NFL player, and a young student getting ready for his freshman year in high school sharing gym space. Being a pro at cooking for the masses, it was perfectly common practice for Kathleen to invite anyone working out in the gym around dinnertime, to grab a plate and join the family for a home-cooked meal. In the summertime, Kathleen was happiest when her boys, her grandchildren, and anyone’s friends….even the whole neighborhood were enjoying themselves in her and Tom’s pool. It was acts of generosity like that which inspired some to name their home and property “Burklow Land” and others to name their children after them.

Kathleen was the loving and devoted wife of Miles “Tom” Burklow, blessed in marriage for 70 years until Tom’s passing in 2021. She was the most loving mother of Tom (Miles, Jr.) Burklow and his wife Debbie, Todd Burklow, and Tim Burklow and his wife Linda, all of Pompton Plains; adored grandmother of seven grandchildren; Benjamin and his wife Diana, Morgan and his wife Jacqueline, both of Boonton Township, Timmy and his wife Sara, Lauren, Jason, Merrissa and her husband John Pires, all of Pompton Plains, and Kaila and Donnie Roberson of Middletown, Delaware; (Kathleen had a pillow with the words “My favorite people call me Nanna” on it.); cherished great-grandmother of eleven great-grandchildren; and dear sister of: Rich Smith and his wife Christine of San Clemente, California, the late Carol Montagno, and the late Morgan Smith.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Kathleen’s memory would be appreciated to The Chapel, 264 Jacksonville Rd., Lincoln Park, NJ 07035. You can also donate online at TheChapel.org