Caitlin Elizabeth Burk

Caitlin Elizabeth Burk was born in Atlanta on April 30, 1988, to Deborah Coker Burk and Steven James Burk, joining big brother David Asher Burk. The spitting image of her mother, Caitlin was a happy child with many hobbies and passions that ended up lasting a lifetime: horses, Lord of the Rings, Sci-fi/fantasy, music, art, and nature. From a young age, she had a magical connection with nature and was able to see and feel connections to the world that are often overlooked.

When Caitlin was 14 years old, her mother was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer and died less than a year later. Caitlin and her mom were as close as can be and her world crumbled. After her mom's death, her homelife became unsafe and she was brought in by a foster family.

When she graduated from Decatur High School in 2006, Caitlin decided she wanted to live life on her own terms. She cycled through many living arrangements with roommates while building a reputation as an exceptional dog sitter. She supported herself by doing what she loved, spending most of her time with dogs at state parks and on urban adventures, always managing to find another animal in need of rescue along the way. Caitlin was passionate about animal rescue and always took in the most challenging animals that no one else wanted.

In 2012, Caitlin broke her back in a horseback riding accident and had 6 permanent pins placed in her spine. This accident led to astronomical medical bills and debilitating pain for the remainder of her life. In August 2018, Caitlin's father Steve completed suicide after a lifelong battle with alcohol and depression. Although they had a strained relationship, she was devastated.

The world was not especially kind to Caitlin, but she still shared her amazing spirit with so many people and built a robust chosen family. Caitlin loved her family and friends will all her heart. Caitlin was an important figure in the lives of many of her friends' children and cherished that role. The children whose lives she was a part of will certainly have additional joyful memories because they had a chance to adventure with Caitlin.

She was dedicated to social activism and her known involvement led to several instances of harassment by law enforcement. She spent countless hours in the Weelaunee forest, and she participated in many efforts to help save it.

Caitlin is survived by her beloved big brother David Asher Burk (Kristen Schroeder), Uncles Bob Burk and Scott Burk, Aunts Judy Burk and Linda Black, many cousins and other extended family in Tennessee, her partner Benjamin Hayes, and her dogs Oscar and Princess Picklebottom.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to 988 Lifeline (https://988lifeline.org/donate/).