Our wonderful mother returned home September 10, 2020, there to be welcomed by her loving husband, Richard (our father), her brother, sisters, mother and father. Born in Edmonton Alberta in 1927, Mom was a fireball! Coming in just under 5 feet, “Mighty Mouse” was a star on the basketball court, held Canadian records in Track, and was the first Canadian woman to jump her height. Throughout her life she continued her passionate race through life. Never slowing even in her 70s taking Senior Olympic metals for Lawn Bowling.
Mom organized Newcomer Clubs wherever she and Dad moved, was a C.G.I.T (Canadian Girls in Training) and Girl Guide leader, and was always up for a game. Any Game! Mom was our family’s biggest fan. She never missed a track meet, swim meet, game, play or concert. We can all still hear her yelling “Go! Go!” from the stands.
Mom never stopped as life ran along. She took up tennis at 60 and only paused for a bit at 80 to get a new hip. Edith, who by now was known by many as “Granny’. was living in Arbutus Ridge and loving life. Playing tennis and being part of that vibrant community. After the passing of Richard, “Granny” moved back to Victoria.
Granny (Mom) stayed a constant volunteer adding to her previous years of service with young women’s organizations, committees, sport clubs, and stratas. She spent many rewarding years at the MS society, then The Commonwealth games. Mom (Granny) was wherever she was needed in our lives and the lives of her community.
Mom and Dad were blessed with the opportunity to seek new adventures and opportunities including Edmonton, Vancouver, Calgary, Burlington, Lions Bay, Victoria, Cobble Hill, Hawaii, Arizona (especially at SunCity and SunCity West). Through it all Mom continued to seek out areas to be of service and have fun.
Granny became a fixture in Esquimalt within the lacrosse community and schools. Everyone seemed to know Granny, still the fireball with the infectious smile (and occasional supportive out burst).
In her last few years Mom, now firmly identified as Granny, took on a new challenge. Not by choice, but even with an unrelenting disease she worked hard to make it work. Eventually the Alzheimer’s dementia got the better of her and she passed quietly with family September 2020, in Victoria, BC. The family knows she would want to thank the amazing group at Brentwood House, and wishes she could have said “good bye”.
Drew and Debbie, Dean and Lesley, Dawn and Evan Fredrickson; your grand kids: Danny, Megan, Max, Wil, and Soleil; and your great grand kiddies: Owen, Ben, David, Rosie, and Lily, and your adopted ones: Jim, Alison, Jaclyn. and Dawn II Hara.
Granny has gone now to her next big game and until we meet again, if you are listening Mom “GO! GO! YOU GOT THIS”
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
16 Responses
Only Four
The first is the hardest
until the second
then third
now fourth.
In the sparkle
I remember
so many before
the first.
Merry Christmas
my mother.
-dean 2024
3 years of watching rainbows
STILL A CHILD
as Altimerzier took her away
She forever changed rainbows:
they had always meant ends
and beginnings
colours changing cool to warm.
They were signs from God;
good news, new worlds, peace.
Then one morning she was here
her mind clouded in pasts
jumbled and shifting in storms.
A rainbow touched down
“right there in the field!”
The newness sparked a clear end,
to all the years of fighting.
She smiled, shouted her epiphany
“it is beautiful”, it still was,
even in a darkening mind.
I looked, I saw, embraced her
weeping at this new end
never to see those colours the same.
She forever changed rainbows.
-dean
It’s been a tough year Mom.
I’ve lost your number.
I so want to call,
play our game,
“hello my mother”
“hello my son”,
one more time,
maybe two.
-dean
Long may you run, Mom!
Love you and miss you so very much!
XO
Jeff Candell
It was a pleasure to know your mother if only a little! I would meet her starting many years ago when she came to church with Dean and Lesley, but more poignantly as she came to Lighthouse Church over the last several years. Edith always had a great smile and that only seemed to be larger in her final years. She didn’t have many words on Sundays her last year or so, but she beamed bright. My own mother is only a little taller than Edith was, and has the exact same hair, and favoured ensembles from Talbots as well. So I shamelessly called her Mom when I saw her on Sunday mornings and told her how nice she looked in her beautiful outfits. How encouraging it is to see that her children enjoyed her so much, and never outgrew the pleasure of her companionship.
To Edith’s family:
On behalf of The Social Butterflies of Victoria, we would like to offer our sincere condolences.
Edith was a very special lady. Loved by all,for her enthusiasim, charm, sparkling personality & beautiful smile. Edith really enjoyed all the wonderful concerts & day-trips which we presented & was always the life of the party. A real honour & pleasure to have known her.
“A life well lived” Rest in peace, Edith.
Natalie Agate & Mark Fisher
The Social Butterflies