Colleen
“Hi Col” , said the only person who ever called me the short version and so I always knew who it was on the phone.
Aunt Edrie’s passing marks another incalculable loss of one of my most cherished family members . It is painfully unthinkable given a very recent lively dinner where I sat next to her and conversed.
Aunt Edrie brings thoughts of extraordinary intelligence, caring, calmness, and honesty.
Her intelligence was always evident in every conversation. She was current on any topic- medical, political, family news. She was well researched on things she wasn’t expert in. I recall just a year ago where she read a book on special diets and was explaining like a professional! She recently told us how her name came from an 1800’s book you could order on Amazon! Her memory for family member details was unmatched. She even knew details about my dad’s family that I didn’t know!
Her honesty was admirable. Whatever topic you asked about, she would always give a straightforward response- whether or not you were hoping for it! It is a Dutch trait that she was a model for! There was never any wavering and she told it exactly how she saw and believed it to be. The aforementioned namesake book she deemed “boring” and she deemed my daughter’s new boyfriend a “big improvement” over the previous one!
Aunt Edrie’s ability to always remain caring, calm and centered was something I greatly admired. I will never know how much was lucky personality traits or a well practiced art. I always tried to reflect on how she did it to assist me with an area that is NOT a strength!
When I asked her about visiting Uncle Jim, she told me that I did not need to go because he would likely mistake me for my mom. I believe she was protecting me from sadness on multiple levels. Her caring nature also applied to her many pets and even pets of others!
She always included me, Tom and Ali as one of her own family and so faithfully communicated with me my entire adult life. I would always try to “beat” her on the next call but she usually won! I will cherish those calls more than she could ever know.
I will always “see” her organizing an impromptu meal after a day of snowmobiling, making sure we all got our favorite jelly glass jars at Wolfe Lake, and checking up on my dad in his later years and telling Uncle Jim what to tell me they observed! She would tell me things would be OK, when that seemed impossible at times. Her zest for Twin Trees Pizza and Grandma Murphy’s cut out cookies was infectious!
Aunt Edrie was truly special in countless ways and her spirit will always be close within.
For condolences, the Dutch say “sterkte” which is to wish someone strength. I’m hopeful she is wishing lots of “sterkte” for all who miss her now, especially her children and grandchildren.
XOX Colleen
