Edith was the matriarch of our family… the glue that held our families together and she will forever be an inspiration to us all.
My grandma played a large part of NOT ONLY my childhood, but my entire life. She has always been there… at Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, birthdays and every other significant event. I am grateful for the time that we have had with her. I’m grateful for the time my children have had with her. I *think* they will remember her when they grow up.
Her sense of humor, and love of travel have carried her far. She was a humanitarian, a role model, the unsung hero in many of our lives, and a gift to us all. While I can’t speak for but a fraction of this rich, woman’s life, I can say this:
She was Extraordinarily loving: never missing a beat when it came to acknowledging an accomplishment or special event for someone else or having the foresight to know that we had to save so that we can properly take care of our families.
She was Genuinely forgiving: when we messed up, sometimes violating the very principles that she stood for, forgiveness still followed.
She was Uncommonly strong: the discovery of a box of Ralph’s old letters to her during the war surely kept her going during his almost 6-year absence. That, along with a diligent exercise regimen for so many years… and even up until this October.
Anyone remotely connected with our family knows of her adventure to California, much of which is documented on video.
Her love of God inspired many years of service in her church from Deacon to Women’s Society President and Circle leader for years. We also found notes from circle meetings in 1979 & 1980.
She practically raised her grand children and has influenced everyone she met for the better.
And during the last years of her daughter Pat’s career, she shopped and cooked meals for 4 people, 3 nights a week, followed by many Bridge games. She was an avid card player and has requested a deck of cards be in her coffin!
We’ve all enjoyed numerous photo albums and are grateful for the technology enabling us to share some of them with you today. (in the other room, you’ll find almost 400 pictures from birth until death)
Many celebrations were held in her Kreis Ln. home of 64 years. She has been blessed with good health for 95 years and was thankful to enjoy that final birthday celebration in October before her illness was diagnosed. She had a full life and confidentally told everyone "I’m going home to die". She even called her friends to tell them goodbye. All she hoped for, was to go quick and pain free.
Most don’t have the opportunity to have "Death and dying parties" and she reveled in them! She told us final words of wisdom… like to count our blessings, and be thankful in all things, and bury any sorrows in doing good deeds to others. Then, we too, can have a legacy like hers. Maybe not as long as the 34,718 days she was on this earth, but hopefully close.
Before she knew she had cancer, she whispered to me at our birthday party that she lost much of her appetite and was concerned about losing 10 pounds. She said, "that’s not good for a person my age." …knowing I don’t talk to many other 95 year olds. Only days later, we got the diagnosis.
At one of these "death and dying parties," I told her it would be nice to have her around for the upcoming holidays, and her response was "…oooohhh no, I’m ready to go and in fact, I hope to be with Ralph in time for our anniversary" (This Sat. Nov. 22nd) She expects Ralph to be anxiously awaiting her at the gate and greet her with, "Edie, What took you so long?"
Well, we all know that reunion happened Tues. morning. So, my tears are tears of happiness, and it should be for everyone here. For she’s been preparing for this occasion with great fervor and dedication, other traits for which she’ll always be remembered.
