Lisa Burdick YODER

YODER, Lisa Burdick

passed away April 14, 2015 in St. Petersburg, at the age of 55 after a valiant four-year fight with cancer. Lisa's love of life, family and friends, selfless caring for others, and giving spirit were felt by all who knew her and whose lives she touched.

Most recently of Treasure Island, and previously of Washington, DC, Lisa grew up in Syracuse, NY, the loving daughter of Daniel and Billie Burdick. A graduate of Clark University, Lisa received a Masters in International Affairs and Soviet Studies from Columbia University and a Masters in National Security Strategy from the National War College. Following positions at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government and a Presidential Management Internship at the Department of the Army, Lisa had a distinguished career with the Department of Defense including work on national security issues and US-NATO security policy, in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Most recently, Lisa served as Manager of Tampa Operations for Northrop Grumman Corp.

In recognition of her many career accomplishments, Lisa was honored with two Secretary of Defense Medals for Meritorious Civilian Service, the Secretary of Defense Civilian Career Service Award, and was a finalist for the Paul H. Nitze Award for Excellence in International Security Affairs. She was also active with numerous professional organizations related to international trade, foreign relations, and international security.

Lisa is survived by her husband, Albert Yoder, of Treasure Island; stepdaughter, Jessica Yoder of Crofton, MD; and siblings, Amy Burdick of Chestnut Hill, MA, Janet Rosen of Newton, MA, Joseph Burdick of Lakewood, CO, and David Burdick of Edwardsville, IL. Memorial services are planned at St. Alban's Church, in St. Petersburg Beach, Saturday, May 23, at 2 pm and in Syracuse, NY, later this spring.

Contributions in Lisa's memory, in lieu of gifts or flowers, may be directed to the Susan F. Smith Center for Women's Cancers at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, MA. Link: http://www.myjimmyfundpage.org/give/lisayoder When you go to the giving page you will see a column on the right where people can make contributions, and also sign a guestbook. Contribution mailing address: Susan F. Smith Center for Women's Cancers, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Attn: Kathleen Sullivan, 10 Brookline Place West, 6th Floor, Brookline, MA 02445