My Aunt Edna

A Role Model




















Aunt Edna in Alaska as a itinerant nurse

This month hasn't been a very good one. This blog has been sadly out of date because we haven't been home much. My Aunt Edna took ill on October 3 with a stroke and had a number of setbacks over the month until she passed away on October 26. Fortunately, we were able to get to see her on the weekends and eventually said our good byes to her two weeks ago. Last weekend on October 29th, we had an Open House for the neighbours and some of the friends who lived close by. Going through the cupboards to find her beautiful serving trays and dishes brought back lots of good memories of being at her and Airlie's place.

Aunt Edna set the standard for dinner parties and entertaining. Although I can't match her, whenever I threw a dinner party I always wondered what Aunt Edna would think of my plans. I used to always go over the menu with her either before or after the party. She never lost interest in the subject. She still enjoyed talking about parties even after she stopped hosting them herself.

Before we went to Port Huron for the Open House, Brad and I dug out the photo albums and scanned some of the pictures to share with others. The following is a posting of a few of our favourites.

This is my Mom and Aunt in Seattle.



















My Aunt was a nurse and worked in public health in Alaska. She had an amazing sense of style.







































Aunt Edna took me on lots of trips. This was our trip together in 1975. We went to Florida. The man in the photo is my brother Mike.



















After Florida, we went to Seattle together, Toronto, eastern United States (with my folks) London England, Arizona (including a sidetrip to gamble in Las Vegas and check out the art in Sedona), and houseboating on the Rideau for her 75th.

This is the family at Wonderland Gardens celebrating my graduation from the University of Western Ontario in 1988. Airlie is on my right and my Mom, Aunt Edna, Tony and Sandi are on my left. Tara is in front.













For my 25th birthday, Mom, Aunt Edna and I went to visit Aunt Edna's friend Cathy Lloyd in Tempe Arizona. Here we are toasting me on my 25th. Cathy is on my left. My niece and nephew have already commented on my 80's hair.













Aunt Edna loved Christmas. She used to come over and cook our turkey when Mom was still working. She and Mom spent hours putting our stockings together every year. For years she used to give me my work wardrobe for Christmas presents. I used to dress a little better in those days. This picture was taken at my brother Tony's house one Boxing Day.












For mom's 80th, the ladies stayed at the Somerset Inn in Troy and shopped 'til we dropped. This is Aunt Edna telling a story at dinner.














This picture is included in the collection because it captures some of Aunt Edna's spirit. We had a crazy family reunion this past summer at my brother's cottage on the Bruce and Aunt Edna came. She's in the middle of the picture sharing a story with Tara.














Aunt Edna loved poetry. Unfortunately I can not compose two lines of poetry. I will end this blog with the following tribute.

Epigram On Parting With A Kind Host In The Highlands

When Death's dark stream I ferry o'er,
A time that surely shall come,
In Heav'n itself I'll ask no more,
Than just a Highland welcome.

Robert Burns 1787

The following appeared in the Port Huron Newspaper

Mary E. Crawford

CLYDE TWP.Mary Edna Crawford of Clyde Twp., died Thursday, October 26, 2006 at age 86.

She was the loving sister of Helen Pavan and loving aunt of Tony, Mike, Jerry, Lesley, Tara and Michael, who reside in London, Ontario.

Edna was the dear longtime friend of Airlie Bruce and Mary Deaver. Originally they worked together in Alaska.

Edna will be buried in the family plot in Duart, Ontario, following a service at the graveside.
Edna was born in Orford Twp., Ontario, on May 22, 1920. She attended Ontario public schools and graduated from St. Joseph's Hospital Nursing School, London, Ontario in 1942. She served in the Canadian Army Nurse Corps until 1944. Edna obtained a B.S. degree in Public Health Nursing from Western Ontario University and a Master's of Public Health from the University of Michigan.

Edna worked 25 years in Alaska in several public health nursing positions, ranging from Itinerant Public Health Nurse to Chief, Section of Public Health Nursing, Alaska Department of Health and Social Services. Her final position was Assistant Director of the Division of Public Health. On retirement, she received the Alaska Public Health Award for Outstanding Service.

Edna was a kind and generous person who was truly loved by all who knew her. She will be sorely missed.

Members of Edna's family and Airlie Bruce will be at……, Clyde Twp. on Sunday, October 29, 2006 between 2 to 4 p.m. Friends and neighbors are cordially invited to visit.
Messages of sympathy can be sent to…….
Cremation arrangements are by Jowett Funeral Home, 1634 Lapeer Ave. at 17th St.