Edith "Edie" Gordon Spies

Spies, Edith Gordon "Edie" 96, of St. Petersburg, passed away suddenly on May 24, 2017. Edie is survived by her sons, Russell Burnett (Regan), and Peter Burnett (Janet); Russell's daughter, Maggie Armstrong; several great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and many wonderful friends. Edie was born in La Crosse, WI to Helen Sheridan Gordon and Stanley George Gordon. Edie attended Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL for one year, following which she was married to Walter N. Burnett of Waban, MA. A second marriage followed, to Frederick W. Spies, with whom she moved to Florida in 1955. She lived in Miami for eleven years, followed by 51 years in St. Petersburg. Edie had a wonderful twenty year relationship with her companion, John Kelly Murphy, who passed away in 2009. Edie loved fashion, and had several sales jobs in the women's clothing industry during the course of her lifetime, including many years in the sportswear department of John Baldwin on Beach Drive in St. Petersburg, where she made many longtime friends. Edie volunteered for many years in various capacities with several service and charitable organizations, including the Bayfront Medical Center Auxiliary, Florida Orchestra Guild, Infinity League, Cross of Lorraine, Boley Angels, St. Petersburg Museum of History Guild, Science Center Guild, Stuart Society, Celma Mastry Ovarian Cancer Foundation and others, culminating in being recognized for her volunteer activities by being named the 2004 Queen of Hearts by the Queen's Court, Inc. In 1993, Edie was awarded the Robert Sheen Award by the Bayfront Medical System for her "extraordinary volunteer services, personal commitment, and selfless dedication to Bayfront Medical Center." While slowed down somewhat in her final years, Edie worked hard in order to maintain her activities. Edie will be greatly missed by all. Services will be private. The family encourages that donations in Edie's memory be made to Celma Mastry Ovarian Cancer Foundation or The Florida Orchestra Guild.