Colleen Marie Gerber
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Published in The Sun on September 17, 2025
Colleen Marie Gerber, of Palmyra, passed away on September 13, 2025. Born on May 7, 1963, in Suffern, New York, she was the daughter of the late Patricia A. Seeley and John P. Seeley. Colleen grew up in Mechanicsburg and graduated with the Cumberland Valley High School Class of 1981. Colleen was energetic and had many adventures as a young woman, racing mountain bikes, working on Capitol Hill, and cycling across the US and Australia. In 1994, she married David Burnham, with whom she had two daughters. She eventually settled back in Pennsylvania in 1999 where she worked in sales before earning a Master’s degree and becoming an educator.
In November 2011, she married the love of her life, Kenneth Gerber, and they shared fourteen joyful years. Their home was a community hub, and over the years they hosted many laughter-filled gatherings, including their famous competitive croquet party and gag gift Christmas party. Colleen and Kenny loved to travel all over the country, play pranks on their friends and neighbors, and spend time in the home they built together. In 2021, Colleen was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS; Lou Gehrig’s Disease). Though the disease gradually took away her physical strength, her spirit never dimmed. She became a passionate advocate for the ALS community, participating in clinical trials, serving on the ALL ALS Outreach Advisory Board (www.all-als.org), as an ambassador for the ALS Clinical Research Learning Institute (neals.org/peopleliving with-als/als-clinical-research-learning-institute), and promoting the local charity, Let Hope Grow (lethopegrow.org).
Just as importantly, she continued to host dinners and spend time with friends and family. She even threw her own living celebration of life so she could share joy with her community one last time. In the end, Colleen made the courageous choice to participate in Death with Dignity and was able to pass away peacefully, surrounded by her family.
Colleen was an ambitious, confident, and resilient person with a quick wit, adventurous spirit, and bubbly personality. Colleen will be remembered as a devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother, caring sister, and fun-loving friend. Her laughter, generosity, and gift for making others feel at home will be deeply missed.
She is survived by her husband Kenneth Gerber Jr.; daughters Theresa Burnham-Knight, and her husband Chris, and their daughter Noelle; and Jacqueline Burnham and her partner Nick Manolakas. She is also survived by her step-daughter Brianna Gerber and her partner Dave Lyons, and step-son Brandon Gerber and fiancée Becky Conrad. Colleen leaves behind her siblings Terry Seeley, Kathy Whitehead, Eileen Seeley, Michael Seeley, Patrick Seeley, Timothy Seeley as well as their families, beloved cousin Chucky McKenna, and dear family friends Davey and Lori Hankins, and Megan Skelly. She is also survived by a step-brother Greg Rhen and step-sister Barbara Kretzing. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her step-mother Joyce Seeley and her brother, Brian Seeley.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Compassionate Care ALS on her behalf.