Edith Waytula Obituary

Dear Ed and Family,
My cousin, Rita sent me the notice about Edith. I am so sorry to get this news. Unfortunately, I never got to know Edith and Ed well, being such a small child when I last saw them. My grandmother, Maude, always kept us in touch with the family through the family letters when I was small, so I felt as if I knew everyone.

Ed put together the Finnell family tree for which I am so grateful. At least we have some of the history and it means a lot to me.

You have my deepest sympathy.
I know she will be missed...Sherry Lingenfelter Masters (Virgie Moody and Ralph Lingenfelter's daughter..Canton, GA

I was so sorry to hear about Edith. I have many fond memories of her, Kay, Waldo and Uncle Claude (my grandmother's twin) & Aunt G. They were all so gracious to Mother and me when Mom would have to take me numerous times to Chicago to the Ill. Research Hosp. when I was little. We stayed with them on those trips. Mom's cousin Edith had many cool toys that I was allowed to play with (her Hootenanny, Steroscope, Winnie the Pooh records, etc.) I loved Aunt G's piano and the chime clock on the mantle. I loved their dogs, Floogie and Middy (Midnight). I was intrigued by the old lamplighter that went up and down the street every evening at dusk and lit the street lamps by hand. One time Waldo rode the train all the way out of town with Mom and me on our return trip home to Lawrenceville, IL. That was so much fun. I loved and miss them all!~~Rita Hobbs King (Lelia [Moody)] & Sam Hobbs' daughter)...Jeffersonville, IN

Dear Ed & Family,

Edith will always hold a special place in our hearts. We always enjoyed when Gram (when she was able) or my Mom would host the "Waytula Cousins". We looked forward to catching up with you and Edith. We'll fondly remember her smile and her wonderful stories. She was full of charm, class and elegance and the two of you made a couple we envied.

Our thoughts and prayers,

I thank my sister, Genevra (Geni) for her entry as it expresses many of my similar sentiments. I always enjoyed visiting with Aunt Edith and Uncle Ed as they were such down-to-earth. intellectually inquisitive, and fun people. I remember Aunt Edith and Uncle Ed visiting us many years ago in Arlington and going to our favorite Italian restaurant. They also made a special trip to visit us at the Chicago airport when we were travelling with our daughter, Sabrina, who was then 13 months old so they could visit her.

I admired Aunt Edith for all of her travels and for her learning Spanish and Russian. She wrote to me occasionally in Spanish and she has always been an inspiration to me.

I know that my Mom will always be indebted to her because Aunt Edith introduced her to my father, who was her brother.

I, like Geni, also greatly appreciate all the birthday cards with the personalized notes that she sent me throughout my life.

I am glad that I had a chance to see her at the nursing home last month and to also catch up on visiting with my cousins. It makes me realize how important family and extended family are.

I will greatly miss Aunt Edith.

Aunt Edith was a wonderful aunt to me. Though we didn't see each other in person for years due to the distance, she always sent me a birthday card and Christmas card and included a letter with them. She was a wonderful example to me by living life purposefully and with joy. She loved to dance, always had an intellectual pursuit such as learning a language, and she traveled to Russia years ago when it was rare for westerners to go there. She was a doer and she was a volunteer at a local nursing home. She encouraged me to go back to college to get my degree in the 80's and I did. I regret that I didn't visit her in person. I didn't realize time was so fleeting. I will always remember my Aunt Edith with appreciation, respect and love. Genevra Finnell-Stock.