Dr. Lucille Burbank, beloved author of “The Inside Secrets of Sesame Street,” has passed away at the age of 76. She died on April 11, 2023, in Williamsburg, VA, due to heart failure.
Born on February 14, 1947, in NY, Lucille was the daughter of Peter and Lucille Burbank. She attended Mamaroneck High School before earning a Bachelor of Science degree from Antioch College and a Master’s in Education from Temple University. Dr. Burbank received the Constance Dorothea Weinman Scholarship, which enabled her to conduct a much larger doctoral study than she had originally intended. Thus, she was able to study three prominent children’s television series: Sesame Street, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, and Captain Kangaroo. In-depth interviews were conducted with the creators, actors, and producers.
Throughout her career, Dr. Burbank was recognized worldwide and received numerous awards and accolades. In 2017, she was named Woman of the Year for her award-winning book, “The Inside Secrets of Sesame Street,” by Talk Nation Publications. She was selected for the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award and was chosen to represent Marquis in the November 6, 2018 edition of the Wall Street Journal. Additionally, Dr. Burbank was named Top Female Executive by Worldwide Branding, and she was a delegate for the International Women’s Leadership Association. In 2019, she graced the front cover of TIP (Top Industry Professionals) Magazine and was selected as Top Author of the Year by the International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP). Dr. Burbank was interviewed on T.I.P. Radio for 2020 and was broadcasted on the Reuters Building in Times Square, NYC for a second time by IAOTP.
Dr. Burbank is survived by her son, Daniel L. DeSantis, and grand-daughter, Eris F. DeSantis, both of Williamsburg, VA; her sisters, Angelina Renee Johnson of Carlsbad, CA; Pierrette B Van Cleve of San Diego, CA; her nephew, Curtis B Johnson of Kalispell, Montana, and her niece, Brooke C Van Cleve of Los Angeles, CA.
Funeral arrangements are through Nelsen Williamsburg Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Humane Society.
Online condolences may be shared here.
Dr. Lucille Burbank will always be remembered for her compassion, kindness, and service. As Fred Rogers said, “Nobody else can live the life you live.” She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and colleagues in the industry.
