Jacqueline Burns' Obituary
JACQUELINE (JACQUIE) GASPER BURNS
Jacqueline (Jacquie) Gasper Burns, 87, of Apollo Beach, FL, passed away Thursday, June 1, 2023, unexpectedly but peacefully in her home. Jacquie was born on June 4,1935. Jacquie was preceded in death by her parents, John and Frances Gasper; her sister and brother-in-law, Mary Ann (Freddy) Von Wolfersdorf. Her greatest loss was her youngest son, Keith Paul Burns, 38, on August 7, 1999. Jacquie will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 67 years, Douglas Burns, of Apollo Beach, FL; son Kevin (Martha) Burns, Key West, FL; daughter Heather Sanders, Gibsonton, FL; six grandsons: Eric (Katie) Burns, Seffner, FL; Andy Salmon, Richfield, NC; Ryan Burns, Lexington, SC; Paul Sanders, Tampa, FL; Ross (Miranda) Burns, Jacksonville, FL; & David Sanders, Tampa, FL; five great-grandchildren: Kelsey & Kayley Burns; Kymbree & Korie Salmon; Liam Burns; nephew Jon (Cyndy) Von Wolfersdorf; niece Becky (Bob) Stewart; and a multitude of other close family and friends.
Jacquie, a devout Catholic, was a member of St. Anne's Catholic Church in Ruskin, Florida. She married the love of her life, Douglas Burns on her birthday, June 4, 1955. Doug's career at General Electric, moved them from New York to Massachusetts, Arizona, and North Carolina where she attained her Real Estate license and began her successful career. While in North Carolina, Jacquie and Doug, along with five other couples, formed the Coastal Carolina Cruisers which fueled their love of boating.
Prior to retirement, General Electric moved them to Rapallo, Italy to oversee the re-opening of a nuclear fuel plant. Instead of returning to the U.S., they extended their trip and traveled to India, Singapore, Hawaii and California. At 55-years-old the couple retired early and settled in Apollo Beach, FL. Over the years, they traveled to Costa Rica, Panama, Honduras, Belize, Columbia, the Amazon, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, Great Barrier Reef, Fiji and more.
Jacquie and Doug enjoyed time on bowling teams, church bridge club, dancing, and attending social events. You could always count on Jacquie standing out with her extraordinarily unique sense of style with her attire. Later in life, she enjoyed wearing fancy and funny hats that she acquired through her love of "retail therapy." Along with Jacquie's wit and sense of humor, she was born with a lucky charm. Jacquie's love of cruising always helped her fill her coin purse with money won from the slot machines, and she won so many raffles at parties, everyone would joke that she would never be invited back!
Jacquie's life and love story with Doug reminds us to cherish every moment we have with those we love. Jacquie left her mark on all those she has met across the globe and her stories will be told for years to come. Her life reminds us that the love that we hold for our loved ones lives on forever.
In true Jacquie fashion, she has requested that no formal services be held. Instead, remember Jacquie as the true life-of-the-party that she was, the family requests the honor of your presence for "A Celebration Of Jacquie's Life." As a tribute to her fabulous sense of humor, please come dressed in your favorite hat whether it be elegant, funny, homemade, or one that reminds you of Jacquie.
In lieu of Flowers, Donations may be made to:
HUMANE SOCIETY OF TAMPA BAY
3607 N. Armenia Ave.
Tampa, FL 33607
(813)876-7138
www.humanesocietytampa.org
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