Edna didn't want tears when she passed, but when a large source of love has been removed from your life, tears are to be expected.

Edna personified the concept of love as a verb and not mere sentiment. As a child, she shared her ice pop with our brother who had already spent his ice cream money on something else. As a teen, she left high school to raise me while our mom was unable to care for me, saving me from adoption away from my family. In our family it is said that I was her "practice baby." She practiced love, and continued it with two sons and two daughters, giving selflessly and continually, and then on to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Her marriage was in the truest form, clearly an example of "two becoming one flesh" as described in scripture, and endured for 58 years. It was known by all the family that when either one passed, the other would follow, and her passing was a single day short of five months.

Nurturing as she was, she took on the example of Mary, mother of Jesus, and had great sympathy for her sorrows. How fitting that she passed on the Saturday between Good Friday and Easter Sunday!

Edna extended this love to those at the end of their lives as well, aiding in the passing of her mother and father in law, and a source of support for our brother until his death.

Vibrant and creative, a clever arts-and-crafts hobbyist, marvelous cook (even though our mom didn't think her pie crusts were flaky enough…). Her talents seemed to be unlimited, and she always had an idea for a new project. Nearly everyone who met her loved her, she had an outgoing friendliness that drew people toward her.

Edna my sister, our time on Earth is short, I will see you soon…