Kathryn K Burchinal

Kathryn Kellogg Burchinal, 91, of Doylestown, PA passed away on July 17, 2025, encircled by love of family.

Born in New York City in 1933, Kathryn (Kay) spent her youth in Wilton, CT, surrounded by her siblings, cousins, dogs, horses, art, and stories from faraway lands, all of which shaped her remarkable life of travel, service, compassion and grace.

Kay attended The Bolton School, in Westport, CT and The Maderia School in Fairfax, VA, before attending Bennett College, in Millbrook, NY. Each new educational experience instilled in her a love for learning, an appreciation for art/culture, and a heavy dose of wanderlust.

Kay began her professional career at C. Tennant & Co in New York City from 1953-1956. This experience established two essential feathers for Kay’s journey: a real-world practical skill set, and an introduction to foreign visitors from across the globe. These two feathers served as wings for Kay’s wanderlust, and at 23 years old, she boarded a steamship bound for Europe.

Kay took Europe by storm. Landing auspiciously in the City of Love, where she honed her professional skills, her fluency in French, her exploration of art, and her appreciation for cultural diversity. Kay’s love of life and boundless curiosity, coupled with her ambitious spirit, took her from Paris to Geneva to London by means of various professional roles in publishing, hospitality and importing/exporting.

Kay’s professional success, bilingual skills, attention to detail, and art of discretion positioned her well for a role with the US Third Air Force in Middlesex, England in 1959. Unbeknownst to her at the time, the US Air Force would change the course of Kay’s life forever.

Kay’s work with the US Government continued for 15 years in positions with the US Navy’s European-Mideast Division in London, NATO’s Plans and Policy Division in Paris, the US Ambassador to NATO in Paris, and the Office of Joint Chief of Staff and the Office of the Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon in Washington, DC.

It was during this chapter in Kay’s journey that she met USAF General David A. Burchinal, Deputy Commander in Chief, United States European Command. A romance sparked, then blossomed, and ultimately emerged as true love. In 1968, Kay and David were married, followed by an intimate gathering of friends and family at Kay’s brother’s home in Guilford, CT.

Kay’s life with David expanded in more official ways, as David’s leadership overseeing the transfer of the US European Command from Paris, France to Stuttgart, Germany required the establishment of a new headquarters and home in Stuttgart. Kay’s many years in Europe, her diplomatic sensibilities, sharp wit, poise and humor were a good match for the many official duties required in her new role. She fully embraced and excelled in her position and was an active participant in service to her country, as Chairman of the Red Cross Volunteer Program in Europe, Member of the German-American Women’s Club, Honorary President of the USEUCOM (United States European Command) Officers Wives Club, and Honorary Chairman of AWAG (Americans Working Around the Globe).

In March 1973, Kay received the Certificate of Appreciation from the US Air Force for “her own unselfish, faithful and devoted service, and her unfailing support and understanding that made possible David’s lasting contribution to the Nation”.

In retirement, Kay and David lived in Surrey, England, where Kay continued her work in service of others as a volunteer with the Surrey Country Home for Children. Kay also revived her love of painting and the arts, which she carried with them when they moved back to the US, settling down in Bucks County, PA in the early 1980’s.

Despite retirement, Kay’s tireless community service, political activism, and support for the arts and for those less fortunate extended to all creatures great and small. Her work as a volunteer or active member spanned another four decades and included, The Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Michener Museum, The Special Olympics, The Barnes Foundation, PETA, YMCA, Christian Children’s Fund, The Environmental Defense Fund, The Nature Conservancy, Broad Street Ministry, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, Last Chance Ranch, The Donkey Sanctuary, and perhaps her most extensive volunteer position, The Neshaminy Manor, where she contributed for 35 years!

As an exemplar of her generation, Kay never requested recognition or accolades for any of her service to nation or service to others. She was, and will always be, an example of grace, humility, and compassion.

Kay is the daughter to the late Augustus G. Kellogg II and Rita Mosher Kellogg, wife to late husband David A. Burchinal, and sister to late siblings Augustus G. Kellogg III, Edith Kellogg Bechtold, and Barbara Kellogg Gilroy. Kay is survived by her stepdaughter Wendy Craine (John) and stepson David (Deke) Burchinal; grandchildren David Craine, Clarke Craine (Abigail), Danielle Gorgone (Alex), Jamie Dayagdag (Vlad); great grandchildren Caroline Craine, Sibyl Craine, Everly Roy; nieces/nephews Erin, Elsbeth, Kathryn, Kimberly, Michael, Augustus, Elizabeth and Jennifer; and many grandnieces and grandnephews.

Contributions in Kay’s memory may be made to Last Chance Ranch, 9 Beck Road Quakertown, PA 18951 and The Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth, Devon EX10 0NU England

Kay's family will receive visitors on Thursday, August 21, 2025 from 9:30am-10:15am until her memorial Mass at 10:30am at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 235 East State Street, Doylestown. Her interment will occur at a later date in Arlington Cemetery, Arlington, VA.