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

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

          It is tough to describe what I felt when finding out about Edweenna leaving us. My throat had a knot for days.
For some, it might be hard to understand the love I have for Edwenna; I know some of you do. She was a mother to me for one year, an extraordinary year where, at times, she was more present, affectionate, and decisive than my own. Her energy inspired me in so many ways, her patience, and her love. She always had time and space for me, she taught me so many things, from English to cooking (I still use the Family Cookbook that I was honored to receive in 1990), from gardening to classical music (which only now I get!). However, most importantly, to show love and respect for the less fortunate, to see the other person for what it was, a person beyond color and country. Edwenna was open-minded, altruistic, and dedicated.
I always say that in my life, there was a before and after my stay with the Werners. I wish I have said this to her earlier.

Here in the far far South corner of South America,  we will miss Edwenna's Christmas letter so much! to say the least...

EDWENNA AS I KNEW HER

Gail MacColl

October, 2019

Edwenna and her parents

Edwenna was her parents’ first child and only daughter, and thus faced many expectations.Her mother expected her to become a good cook and gracious hostess (which Eddie indeed became in later life—even making mustard from scratch) and competent musician --choral singer, violist, and keyboard player. Eddie started on piano, but classmate Bill Baker told me recently that she said she was advised to switch from piano to organ because she “lacked the sensitive temperament needed for the piano.”Ouch!

Her father expected her excel in all areas of study (which she did), and outlined the path for her future as an academic. She was also expected to adhere strictly to house rules such as turning off the light when leaving the room and putting the bar of soap on edge in its dish so as not create goo. Eddie tutored me in these rules before I visited the family home, and observed the lights-off rule for the rest of her life.She could not bring herself to leave a light on as required during night-time dorm fire drills at Swarthmore—we roomed together, and I had to make sure she went out the door before I did.



(Michael adds: When we first met and when we were married, Edwenna went by the name Eddie, which is what old time friends like Gail and relatives might call her today.But at some point we introduced ourselves to somebody as “Mike and Eddie”, and the person being talked to said “which is which”? From that point on, it was Edwenna!)



Life at Swarthmore

Eddie was part of a great group of friends that included roommates (me and Caroline Eubank), Bob Lyke (now Caroline’s husband), Bob Putnam and Rosemary Werner (who also married), Dan Sober and many others.We ate, dissected movies we’d seen, joked with each other, and argued this and that in a friendly way.  She came to know Rosemary’s brother Michael, and you know the rest. Their wedding was a wonderful celebration.Michael’s “calming presence” throughout their life gave just the right amount of balance to their partnership, and she cherished her time with his family.

Moving on.

After the wedding, we went our separate ways. I went to grad school and a job in Michigan, and again had great roommates. One of them, Grace, moved Minnesota, where she married  Later, she and Eddie moved quite near each other in California; I put them in touch and they became friends.I had moved to DC, married and lived near the Lykes.  In 2009 Eddie invited Grace, Caroline and me to go to Costa Rica with a favorite tour group--we had a wonderful time together.

Living in DC, I got together with Eddie many times when she had come to help with Erica’s kids. She was, as ever, on the go—carrying a pack with reading material so as not to waste a minute while waiting for the bus or subway.As I thought of her in these past weeks, the phrase “Give every shining moment something to keep in store” came to mind, from the Protestant hymn, Work, For the Night is Coming.She certainly did so, and now the night—and peace--has come.

The last time I saw Edwenna was in January of this year, when she came to Seattle with Michael, who was attending a conference.She and I went sightsee-walking together.As we stood on a corner, waiting for the light so we could continue uphill, a blind man coming toward us in the crosswalk to our right stumbled at the curb and fell backward into the street.Instantly, we leapt in on either side of him to warn the cars away.We weren’t tall or strong enough to lift him up, but a couple of men did so and leaned him against the light pole to steady him.As we waited for him to recover, to our surprise a black woman coming along the sidewalk stopped and addressed him by name.She said she worked at his retirement home, and would call them if help was needed.He declined, saying he was OK and wanted to walk to Macy’s.Eddie and I each took an arm and walked with him until he was clearly steady enough walk continue on his own.An experience I will cherish.And I will miss her always.

Gail MacColl

Song – by May Sarton

Read by Sara Willard at a remembrance for Edwenna

Now let us honor with violin and flute
A woman set so deeply in devotion
That three times blasted to the root
Still she grew green and poured strength out.

Still she stood fair, providing the cool shade,
Compassion, the thousand leaves of mercy
The cherishing green hope.Still like a tree she stood,
Clear comfort in the town ad all the neighborhood

Pure as the tree is young, young
As the tree forever young, magnanimous
And natural, sweetly serving: for her the song,
For her the flute sound and the violin be strung.

For her all love, all praise
All honor, as for trees
In the hot summer days

I have a kinda “thing” for curmudgeons.I imagine throwing a curmudegeon party where everyone is grump, mobody speaks, and everyone looks like they wish they weren’t there.Edwenna, of course, wouldn’t be invited.Michael maybe, but certainly not Edwenna.

For the curmudgeon within me, Edwenna might even have seemed a little nosey.Why does she want to know what I’m doing, and whether I was happy?’

The simple answer is that Edwenna was a people person.She loved to communicate -to share what she’d learned and learned from what was shared.Her curiosity expanded her understanding, her wisdom, and, perhaps most of all, her compassion.

I will miss Edwenna’s inquiring mind and her kind, compassionate heart.

Theo Primes – fellow traveler with the Santa Cruz Chorale

Since the first day I meet Edwenna i felt welcome and that was a great feeling for me,no doubt She had a great heart,i am going to miss Her in all the Family meetingsmy best simpathy for Michael,Ericka and Alex.

Deep bows of gratitude for sharing moments with Edwenna, her beautiful spirit and kindness I am forever grateful to have experienced. She was my mentor in Swing Left and a steady sure-fast friend. Treasure the moments sharing and the afternoon we enjoyed a cup of tea over the new letter writing format. Our love of being mom’s and sharing our grandchildren with our passions to make the journey plausible and even amazing striving for positive changes because children are our everything. I miss your letters and energy already, your earth walk has made us stronger, more focused and a reminder to always live in full vibrant colors. Wrapping your beautiful family in gentle hugs as they move forward on the wings of your love. Peace. Community. Kindness. Integrity. Love. Condolences to Edwenna’s dear family one and all. xo Janie

In 1984 a group of women friends in the Pasadena area, calling ourselves The Group, met for the first time. We had busy lives, with children, husbands, jobs, volunteer activities.  We wanted to carve out a time each month for ourselves - to share, listen, and support each other.  We had a "topic" for each meeting.  Our discussions ranged from inspirational to reflective, happy to sad.  Edwenna always chose subjects that enriched us (books, favorite music).  Just this July at her house she suggested we share "favorite poems".  We were all touched by her reading of this one, and now it seems almost prophetic that she chose it.
Otherwise (by Jane Kenyon - 1947-1995)
I got out of bed
on two strong legs.
It might have been otherwise.
I ate cereal, sweet milk,
ripe, flawless peach.
It might have been otherwise.
I took the dog uphill
to the birch wood.
All morning I did
the work I love.
At noon I lay down with my mate.
It might have been otherwise.
We ate dinner together
at a table with silver candlesticks.
It might have been otherwise. 
I slept in a bed
in a room with paintings
on the walls, and
planned another day
just like this day.
But one day, I know,
It will be otherwise.

With love always for a wonderful friend,
Andrea, Kathy, Linda, Teri and Sara

I had the pleasure of singing with Edwenna in the alto section of Neighborhood choir for many years, enjoying her clear, strong voice.  And yes, I surreptitiously enjoyed the New Yorker cartoons as she was reading the articles during down times at Thursday practices. I had dropped out of USC as a senior undergraduate many years before, and it seemed like Kismet to find myself, just new to the church, singing next to the USCarticulation officer, who generously reassured and encouraged me to return and complete my degree at age 53, in spite of my anxiety and advanced age.  We served together for years on the de Benneville Pines committee, the second most fun committee at church.  We made jewelry at camp together that Edwenna often wore and enjoyed.  We once swam together in Jenks Lake in the early morning hours, following the short hike.  I will always enjoy her recipe for healthy granola that she made for her family in quantity.  What a great example of a human being, giving her time and energy to help to so many of us.  Seeing her and Michael together was a wonderful affirmation of how deep and strong a marriage can be.  Edwenna, you will be greatly missed.  

I’m so very sorry to get the sad news. A wonderful wife, mother, human being, and life partner. She was really special. Bringing people together. An activist in the best sense of the word. Actively trying to make the world a better place. Society’s injustices really bothered her on a very personal level. Some people think about humanity’s shortcomings and shake their heads in dismay but she did something about them. And encouraged others to do the same. That’s what I will always remember (and her endearing love for her children and grandchildren)

Edwenna has been an inspiration, as a friend and colleague.  I came to know her well through the de Benneville "big hike", which she led with gusto each year at Neighborhood's annual summer camp in the San Bernardino Mountains.  She was tireless, opinionated and dedicated to service and ethics.  I know she loved singing, and loved hearing the church organ.  And she was valued for her work at USC in the registrar's office, where she always had the students' interests at heard.   You will be greatly missed.  Randy  

Edwenna and I have been building houses together in Tijuana since 2002.  In those 17 years she rarely missed a trip - she probably attended at least 30. Aside from being tireless on the work-site, Edwenna was always the first to sign-up to prepare our communal pasta dinner, even e-mailing me ahead of time to make sure she had the top spot.  We could always count on Edwenna to make sure the non-potable water was thoroughly boiled and the feast for a very hunger group of 30+ was timed perfectly! 
I admired Edwenna's discipline and was always impressed me when I would observe her doing her morning calisthenics on the patio long before the rest of the group was even out of bed. 
On one of our trips where Edwenna didn't join us, the legend of her work ethic did.  Esperanza's long time volunteer coordinator, Eduardo, near the end of a long concrete pour, was trying to encourage a group of teens to keep going by playfully reminding them of how tirelessly Edwenna worked.
Esperanza won't be the same without Edwenna in the bucket line.  She will be dearly missed.

Wendy Wilson

I had the good luck to know Edwenna through our church. I enjoyed her so much in so many church activities. I liked to tease her about reading the New Yorker tucked in her black choir booklet in between singing assignments. She was always forthright and concerned about church governance, and I appreciated her honest chats while I was church president. The loss of a friend like this is always hard to comprehend and accept, and I know I will still expect to see her bustling on Sunday mornings on our church campus. She was a constant bolt of joy, and I will miss her deeply.

Clyde Derrick