Ruth Burchert-Kelly

Ruth Burchert-Kelly of Venice passed away on Sunday, October 27, 2013. She was the oldest daughter of Elisabeth and August Reinhardt of Frankfurt, Germany. Ruth graduated from Schwanheim High School in 1952 and went on study modeling, fashion and dress-making in Frankfurt. She married Eberhard Burchert in 1954 and immigrated to the US in 1955. Ruth first landed in Cleveland, Ohio; then moved to Pittsburgh, PA and on to Barrington, IL. In 1974 she discovered Venice as a winter vacation destination and in 1980 moved to Venice permanently. Ruth had her own dress-making business and worked for Higbee's Department Store in Cleveland, Lake Forest Sport Shop in Lake Forest, IL and The Guilded Lily in Sarasota. In 1984 she started her own retail women's fashion business - St. Marco Boutique, located initially in the KMI Building and then at its current location on Venice Ave. Ruth was known as the "Grande Dame" of Venice because of her fashion sense and style. She built a social community at her boutique dispensing her advice and stories. Ruth supported many worthy causes for cancer survivors, Veterans and animals. She was an avid tennis player on the Venice public courts and played bridge with a passion. She loved the Gulf, sunsets, the clouds she called "my mountains" and good beer. Ruth married Richard Kelly of Englewood, Florida & Danvers, Massachusetts in 2001. Richard passed away in 2005. Ruth will be greatly missedby her two daughters, Maureen Burchert and Renee Dees, and her grandson Cameron Dees. A memorial service & celebration of her life will be held at a later time.