Cynthia Clara Burdi

Cynthia Clara Burdi, 63, born August 11, 1957 in Groton, Massachusetts, will be remembered for how she lived her life as a caring, compassionate, creative, and strong person. Cynthia tackled life’s challenges head on, whether it was being a single mother to her daughters Leah and Claire after their father Mel St. John passed away; or battling pancreatic cancer for nearly two years with grace, dignity, and fortitude, well beyond what the medical community initially projected when she was first diagnosed in 2019.

Cynthia died peacefully in her sleep from pancreatic cancer on February 12, 2021, with her family by her side.

The first of five children born to Louis J. Burdi and Dr. Anna Mae Burdi-Ferrier, Cynthia’s aptitude as a family leader to her younger siblings was evident early in her life as she often volunteered to tend to her sisters, Cecelia, Carolyn, Caren, and to her brother, Louis, in support of her parents.

With education being a powerful facet of family life, Cynthia’s post high school journey landed her at Michigan State University, where she earned a degree in fashion merchandising. In addition to being a student, Cynthia joined a sorority, where she made many friends, something she did throughout her life, building friendships that lasted a lifetime. She was very honest and loyal to many.

Her professional roles included being a senior buyer for J.L. Hudson Co. It was a job that she relished. She had the distinction of working in the iconic Hudson’s building in downtown Detroit. Her work would take her to live in Chicago to work for Evan Picone and then to Minneapolis with what became the Dayton-Hudson Corporation followed by a management position with Shiseido Cosmetics. When she left retailing and moved into business, she succeeded in leadership roles in the food service industry.

Cynthia brought her compassion and caring for others to her final professional opportunity with MORC, Inc., a human services organization that coordinates long-term support for individuals with physical and developmental disabilities as well as the elderly in Southeast Michigan. Her work life provided a powerful template for her daughters to follow, that of a working mother who artfully balanced family and work.

The cornerstone of Cynthia’s adult life was being a mother to her daughters Leah and Claire. She cherished the role and enjoyed watching her daughters as they grew into adults. Cynthia also made sure they had fun family memories together, sharing her love of travel with her children.

There were so many trips and vacations including family visits and reunions, a visit to the Dakota’s; a memorable trip to Hawaii; a trip to Disneyland and Disney World and many trips to Marco Island as well as a bushel full of memories made with family and friends on lots of shared adventures. She also enjoyed traveling internationally, visiting Europe, Italy, Japan, Portugal, Egypt, and Russia and other overseas destinations.

An artistic and creative person, Cynthia shared her gifts with loved ones and her many friends. She chronicled Leah and Claire’s growth through her love of scrapbooking, sharing their family memories for all to enjoy; she artfully placed inspirational sayings and picture displays in her home; she decorated her home for every holiday inside and out and she also enjoyed cultural settings such as orchestra and live theatre.

Her self-proclaimed favorite was cooking and hosting family gatherings.  She loved to cook and send everyone home with food she made, even while she was battling cancer.  She was an excellent planner and organizer, always thinking of others even in her final days.

Cynthia’s warmth, charm, laughter, and zest for living life are already missed. The many memories of her as a daughter, sister, mom, aunt, in-law, relative, friend and colleague will live on, providing comfort to all of us who loved her and who were loved by her. While the hole in our hearts from her passing will always be present, the many memories of her will provide comfort.

Cynthia leaves to cherish her loving memory her daughters, Leah St. John (fiancé Jonathan Neilson) and Claire St. John; her father Louis J. Burdi of Warren, MI; her mother Dr. Anna Mae Burdi-Ferrier (the late Donald Ray Ferrier) of Marco Island, FL; her sisters, Cecelia Burdi (Debbie Luevano); Carolyn Burdi (Kevin Byrnes); Caren Burdi (children: son Nikolas Upton, (his daughter Evelyn Upton), and daughter Emily Upton); and her brother Louis R. Burdi (daughters Danielle Burdi and Kelly Koers).She was preceded in death by her former husband, the late Mel St. John as well as her grandparents on both sides of the family.

May she rest in peace and be forever in our hearts.

Due to COVID, a private interment ceremony will be held on Saturday, March 13, 2021 at Resurrection Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in remembrance of Cynthia Burdi may be made to:

Henry Ford Health System at www.henryfordcom.giving.

Select, Henry Ford Hospice, Tribute gift, Cynthia Burdi.

You can also give through regular mail. The mailing address is Henry Ford Health System, Development Office, 1 Ford Place #5A, Detroit, MI 48202-3450. Please make the check payable to: Henry Ford Health System and on the memo line write: Hospice Fund-Cynthia Burdi.

Cynthia’s family thanks you for your outpouring of support and your expressions of love and caring.