Susan Lynn Kallimani

Susan Lynn (Burns) Kallimani was born in Gary, Indiana on January 23, 1951. She was the second child of Edward and Garnet Burns, also of Gary. Susan attended primary school at Nobel Elementary and later graduated from Wirt High School in 1969. She spent a year at Purdue University, before transferring to Indiana University. Susan majored in anthropology, and was a capable student who built a prolific knowledge of history and culture. While at Indiana University, Susan pledged the Delta Delta Delta sorority, where she would develop life-long friendships with many of her sisters. She graduated from Indiana University with honors in 1973. In 1974 George and Susan were married at Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Merrillville, Indiana. They settled into professional life in Chicago, where Susan worked for Social Security. In 1978 Susan and George purchased a house in Miller Beach where they were an easy walk to the singing sand and skyline sunsets of Lake Michigan. In 1981 Susan and George welcomed their first son, James, called “Jamie.” In 1985 their second son Geoffrey was born. During their childhood Susan was active in their schools, and also worked for several local Miller Beach businesses, including Petals florist. In 1995 Susan became a certified framer, and went to work for Lake Street Gallery where she would work for 20 years as a gifted professional framer. In 1979 Susan and George vacationed on Sanibel Island, a place that would become a second home for their family, where they vacationed every October. Susan and George also traveled to many international destinations, including Tahiti, the UK, Hungary, the Bahamas, Paris, and Mexico. Susan was a devoted swimmer, known for swimming laps in any water she could, especially the beach at home and the pool on Sanibel Island. She enjoyed scuba diving and spoke with reverence about the underwater worlds she saw during her dives. Susan was a talented photographer, known for her landscapes and nature photography, and for documenting family members and events. Legendary amongst family and friends for her rich memory and skill with recall, Susan was affectionately called “the smart one” by her husband and sons, and was always available to help nieces, nephews, cousins, and neighbors with school homework or interesting trivia. Kind, funny, patient, and warm, Susan was loved by all who knew her, and had a community of loved ones all around the world. She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Garnet Burns, and several beloved family dogs. Susan is survived by her husband, George Kallimani; her sons Jamie (Carrie Carter) Kallimani and Geoffrey (Parker Sublette) Kallimani; her sister, Kathleen Smith (Ron Smith), and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. A visitation will be held at Burns Funeral Home, 701 E. 7th Street, Hobart, IN on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Funeral services will take place at Burns Funeral Home in Hobart on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Rev. Thomas E. Mischler officiating. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to VNA Hospice, or to a Parkinson’s charity of your choice. www.burnsfuneral.com

Susan Lynn Kallimani

January 23, 1951 - March 29, 2025