Gloria Burnett Davidson

Gloria Burnett Davidson passed away peacefully at home in the early morning hours of June 7, 2025. She was 96 years old and surrounded in her final years by the love and care of her husband Alex and her family.

Born in Seattle to Alexander and Harriet Baidin, Gloria grew up in Ballard and graduated from Ballard High School. She studied Art at the University of Washington and married James Burnett in 1951. Together they raised five children in a home filled with love, music and lots of activities.

As her family grew, Gloria began teaching piano to supplement their income. After attending a seminar by Dr. Robert Pace in 1966, she adopted his group teaching method and became a national and international leader in music education. She studied and taught alongside Dr. Pace at Columbia University, New York during summer sessions. As the Western Division coordinator of the International Piano Teaching Foundation, she trained teachers across the U.S., Australia, and Denmark, and authored a well-loved book on musical games that remains in print today. Her lifetime of dedication was honored in 2004 when she was inducted into the Washington State Music Teachers Hall of Fame.

Creativity touched every part of Gloria’s life. She enjoyed art and loved to paint. Many will remember the festive holiday windows she painted for both businesses and at our home. Later she developed a joy for crafting handmade greeting cards and sharing those skills by teaching classes at local rubber stamp stores. Gloria baked themed birthday cakes for her kids and even cut our sandwiches into the shape of an airplane to make our meals fun. She inspired her children and grandchildren to find joy in music and learning.

Gloria spent many years involved in the church. She expressed her faith with her service to the church as a member of Luther League, the church organist, and instilling faith in her children.

After the passing of her husband Jim in 1983, Gloria moved to Mill Creek where she met and married Charles Scott in1989. They enjoyed many years of travel and spending time with her grandchildren, and his adult children and grandchildren, until his passing in 2005. In 2006, she married Alex, whom she met at a book club. The two shared over 19 joyful years together, traveling, creating, sharing their love for music and art. Anyone that met them could see the love they shared just seeing how they looked at each other. In her final years, Alex lovingly became her full-time caregiver providing her with everything she needed, including all the ice cream she could eat.

Gloria is survived by her husband Alex Davidson; her children Sue Carlson, Nancy (Ken) Hartnell, Kathy (Terry) Stevens, Jean (Mike) Blomberg, Jim Burnett; stepsons Ron Davidson (Cecilia) and Graham Davidson (Randall). She was blessed with her own 6 grandchildren: Maddy, Amanda, Ryan, Megan, Augie, and Kristen and six great-grandchildren, with one more due this summer. She was preceded in death by her parents, Alexander and Harriet, and her husbands Jim and Charles.

Gloria will be remembered for her boundless creativity, her deep love for Alex and her family, and the lifelong impact she had on her students and fellow educators. Her life was a beautiful blend of music, art, and love—and her legacy lives on in all who knew her.