ForeverMissed
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Edwenna Rosser Werner, wife, mother, grandma, and friend; passed away on September 11, 2019, after suffering an aneurysm.
She lived a full life of family, music, friendship, and service to her community. All of us who were lucky enough to know her miss her terribly. We will never forget how she touched our lives, and how she brought us together.

September 19, 2019
September 19, 2019
Because of Edwina, my own activism was so much more productive. She was an inspiration. I am so sorry to hear of her passing. We must all strive to put more into the world of what we lost with her passing.
September 18, 2019
September 18, 2019
I was so sorry to hear this. Edwenna was in it to win it until the end! She always showed up to voter drives in the 39th, fanny pack like Batman's utility belt, and using the GPS on her smartphone. She was so capable and positive, and wouldn't let anything stand in her way. She was so about the work - and about making the world a better place. I always wanted to hang out a little more and joke with her, but she preferred to get right out there and register some more Democrats! She had more energy than the whole rest of the group put together. That energy was contagious, and inspiring, and wonderful to be around. She was a hero who helped us flip the 39th, flip the House, and pull our country back from the brink. And all of our continuing activism - we do it for Edwenna too now, and hopefully with a tenth of Edwenna's determination. Thank you Edwenna - we love you!!!
September 15, 2019
September 15, 2019
At Swarthmore, and then again at Harvard, Edwenna was the big sister I had always dreamed of having, and we continued our friendship in the nearly sixty years that followed. Colleague and fellow-sufferer/adventurer as we attempted to fix one corner of America by teaching at a historically black college in the very difficult summer of 1965. Musical polymath who went on organ tours and could hum and whistle at the same time in a round. French conversation partner. Discoverer of just the right music—Debussy’s Waltz “La plus que lente”—to go with a one-act I directed at Harvard; she recorded it on some kind of hurdy gurdy, such that its melody lingered in my head to this day (n.b.: it was the only good thing about that production, possibly the only good thing about Harvard). Beneficiary, and guinea pig, along with Ann Graybiel, of my earliest attempts at serious cooking, which she praised far more than they deserved. Tried out on me a hundred “famous” tunes, which she played on the kazoo, to see if any of them stimulated me to say, “Ooh, ooh, it’s on the tip of my tongue,” but in every single case I either knew it or (more often) didn’t know it, so that I was a useless psychological subject.  Brilliance worn with almost too much reticence. Watching her as she found the love of Michael, then of two terrific children, brought me (and so many others) joy.
September 13, 2019
September 13, 2019
Ah, Edwenna...de Benneville Pines will not be the same without you. I'm so happy that we were able to run into you with your grandchildren at Comet Ping Pong in Washington, D.C. in August! I'm glad I didn't know then that it would be the last time I saw you. Next time I take a walk I will walk a little faster because that will make me smile as I think of the energy you have always shared. I promise that, given the chance, we will make Michael some guacamole. Goodness...I miss you so...
September 13, 2019
September 13, 2019
Edwenna was a wonderful lady who was always welcoming of Alex's friends. I remember coming to Pasadena to stay with Alex one weekend and being impressed with her regular swim workouts in an infinite pool (long before I tried training with any regularity). I looked forward to seeing her and Michael at least once a year at the WAKWM event where they would regularly trounce us in trivia.
September 13, 2019
September 13, 2019
I had the pleasure of working with Edwenna for many years. Her helpful suggestions were always on point but rarely brief. She was confident, direct and usually right. She took special pleasure in her friends and family and especially her granddaughters. She will live on in our memories.
September 13, 2019
September 13, 2019
Edwenna and Mike Werner welcomed me into the wonderful Werner home so many times over the years as I worked through my PhD program (made possible with Mike’s sage advice throughout the journey). She always inspired me with her boundless energy, realistic and authentic take on the world, and optimism for a better tomorrow. She took such excellent care of everyone around her, including herself, and that always struck me as truly “leading by example”. My heart is breaking as I consider the massive black hole her passing leaves behind on planet Earth, especially for her dear, loving and devoted husband and children. I will miss you, too, Edwenna, and I thank you so very much for sharing your goodness with me so many years ago, and for so many years since we first met. 
September 13, 2019
September 13, 2019
I was lucky to work with Edwenna for several years in several different roles. She was one of the kindest people I have ever had the fortune to work with. She had a tough streak that I will always admire but her heart was pure gold. She would do anything she could to help me out when I needed it. Even though she wasn't the most tech-savvy person I worked with, she had tremendous patience in trying to understand and had a fantastic sense of humour about it. It's been a while since I saw her as I moved away from L.A. but we exchanged Christmas cards every year and I will miss the updates she would send about her life. May she rest in eternal peace.
September 13, 2019
September 13, 2019
Edwenna is one of the most unusual people I've ever know. Not many deep thinkers have the energy, passion, persistence and dedication she possessed. Edwenna was the 21rst century renaissance woman, avid in her passion for music, art, athleticism, intellectual life, travel, cooking, family, politics and volunteerism.  Like many people, I wondered how she accomplished so much in a day. What an inspiration.

I had the good fortune of knowing Edwenna through our church, as well as through USC. It was always a delight if Edwenna and Michael were at a USC event. At church we served together on the camp committee. She worked on this summer's camp, knowing she would be with Erica and unable to attend. In past years she had led a long hike and we chuckled at her ribbing that we had shorted the hike this year.  In the future, I think we will need to call the hike, "Edwenna's Hike."

My first encounter with Edwenna was when she led a group of us to a shelter for battered women. We brought dinner and talked with the resident women and children who were initially a bit skeptical at our appearance, but were quickly won over by Edwenna. They felt comfortable in her presence and opened up about their experiences. 

These past two weeks have been spent under a dark cloud. Our lives are lessened. I will miss Edwenna and send my love to Michael and the family.

September 13, 2019
September 13, 2019
I am not able to wrap my mind around your passing at all! I already feel the loss of your infectious vitality. I am sad beyond expression but I will continue to do as you always encouraged me and as you did...I will sing, love, share and encourage others until my last breath. You made life beautiful for those around you - Thank you.

I love you, Edwenna and look forward to seeing you again wherever that may be.

Your friend, Carla Jamie
September 12, 2019
September 12, 2019
My first thought when I recall Edwenna is her warmth in welcoming me, her son's roommate, to her home for Thanksgiving. It was more than twenty years ago. That weekend was filled with a warm welcome, walks through the garden, energetic tours through the city, lively conversation, and a generous spirit.

She has always made me feel a part of the family.

As a recent graduate from college, she represented so much of what I was inspired to grow up to be.... politically passionate, deeply engaged with family, intellectually curious, physically active, participating joyfully in the creative arts and consistentally treating others with a kind heart.

I am so grateful to have had her be an ongoing presence in my life. She has inspired me to pursue swimming, choir, political action, and so much more.

I am saddened to think that her gingersnap cookies, warm heart, enthusiasm and keen mind will no longer be at our annual gathering for WAWKM.
September 12, 2019
September 12, 2019
Oh Edwenna... I will miss you so much! You dedicated so many years to coming and reading to my class. I looked forward to seeing you every week! There are no words to tell you how much you will be missed! You were an amazing woman who touched so many lives with your kindness, compassion and loving heart! I am so blessed to have known you. Prayers to your friends and family.
September 12, 2019
September 12, 2019
How lucky I feel to have had Edwenna as a mother-in-law. Her enthusiasm and unflagging energy will be sorely missed. We had a lot in common, including a love of choral singing, of reading, cooking and travelling.

I asked her once if she'd enjoyed visiting rainforests during her travels. "No," she replied, "all the trees get in the way of the view."

(When I related this story to a friend, in Edwenna's presence, she denied all memory of having produced such a bon mot.)
September 12, 2019
September 12, 2019
Those of us who had an opportunity to closely work with Edwenna remember her energy, wisdom, humor, and kindness. She improved everything she touched. We will miss her dearly.
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Recent Tributes
February 28
February 28
After one of the trips Edwenna took with Michael, she told me about her fabulous travel company, Backroads. Richard and I finally got the chance to take one of their trips and they were everything Edwenna had said and more. We went to the Scottish Highlands and I thought of Edwenna while hiking through some of the most glorious mountains I'd ever seen. The warmth of her friendship still lies deep within my heart. Wherever she is now, she is still swimming and singing and helping others.
February 27
February 27
Now that we are making plans for our 60th reunion for Pasadena Pro Musica (PPM), I've been thinking a lot about Edwenna. Except for the first reunion in 1984, Edwenna and I chaired and planned all the subsequent ones until her passing. Now that we are deep in the throes of planning our 60th, I wonder what Edwenna would think of PPM's legacy and the massive changes in the group our current conductor had to make due to the pandemic and its aftermath. I think Edwenna would agree with us old-timers that Scott has done a fabulous job with the group. I still have her emails from 2017; they will remain forever in my inbox. Take care, Edwenna, and may you continue to sing with the angels. ❤️
Love you and miss you, Linda
Her Life
September 14, 2020
A timeline of Edwenna's remarkable life, as compiled by Michael, Erica and Alex, can be found here.

If you have additions/corrections/suggestions, please send them to Alex: maxthevool@yahoo.com.
Recent stories
January 29
a slide show about edwenna
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I  attach a short slide presentation highlighting Edwenna's loves, interests, and family.  I hope those who watch it will enjoy it as much as I did putting it together...She touched our lives in so many ways.
Love
Michael

In Remembrance of Edwenna by high school friend Bob Shaw

October 24, 2019

I first “encountered” Eddie on the first day of high school in 1955.  “Encounter” is the right word because this ball of red-headed energy was quite simply a phenomenon!  We were in virtually every class together for all four years and she sparkled the whole time! I used to wonder if she ever slept or had a down moment.  Eddie seemed to absorb knowledge effortlessly while the rest of us worked hard to stay in the “smart group” of friends. We were both honored as “Girl/Boy of the Month” in senior year and were both voted “most studious” by our classmates, but somehow for her that seemed completely inevitable, whereas for me it was an unexpected surprise.  She was also voted “most likely to succeed” along with our friend George Peterson.


After high school we went in different directions for college and grad school.  It was not until 1968-69 that we reconnected in, of all places Cambridge, U.K. I was a postdoc at the Cavendish Laboratory and unbeknownst to me, Michael was post docing at the university’s astronomy department.  One day we were all at some kind of reception for visiting scholars and there, lo and behold, was Edwenna, lightlng up the room as usual. My wife Anne, who was a postdoc at the Dunn Nutritional Lab in Cambridge met Eddie for the first time and I met Michael.  We met socially with the Werners during our remaining time at Cambridge and vowed to stay in touch after returning to the U.S., albeit living on different coasts. Over the next 50 years we enjoyed visits to each other’s homes and exchanged holiday greeting cards and letters every year, so we stayed current as our children were born, schooled, took jobs and had wonderful children themselves.  We waited eagerly each year to get Edwenna’s holiday letters, which always sparkled and described all the amazing trips around the world that she and Michael took, their musical activities and her take on the political scene.


When Erica and family set up shop in D.C ., Eddie would visit often and sometimes those visits would coincide with our being at our D.C. apartment, so we would get together for lunch or dinner or a museum/garden visit.  I last saw Edwenna on June 23 – she was her usual vibrant self, and we shared updates on our grandkids, what we were looking forward to doing in the summer, and our mutual concerns about the state of the country and the world.  There was no hint that I would never see Edwenna again. Anne and I were on a 55th wedding anniversary trip when Eddie was struck down.  It was nearly two weeks before we knew what had happened, but I told Michael about an amazing experience in which Edwenna was present to me at exactly the time she was dying.


I, like all of you, will miss her greatly, but the indelible imprint she made on my life will be with me always.


With love, 

Bob Shaw

Grandmothers together...

October 24, 2019
I will greatly miss Edwenna.  We were grandmothers together; we shared the opinion that our two granddaughters are beautiful and exceptional (we said other grandmas might feel that way but ours really are special)  Edwenna generously shared stories and photos of Lucy and Olive from her visits with them. She always took time to write the daily details that another grandmother would treasure and I did!   Through Edwenna’s eyes and ears I could be part of our granddaughters’ life even though I was 2800 miles away. She loved her granddaughters. Edwenna is gone yet I can see her continuing on in Olive’s and Lucy’s lives.  Thank you Edwenna for the wonderful start you gave for our granddaughters.

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