These are the comments I made in welcoming the 300+ guests to Edwenna's memorial service - Michael Werner
Good Afternoon
I am Michael Werner, Edwenna’s husband.
On behalf of our family, it is a pleasure to welcome you to this celebration of Edwenna’s remarkable life.
Edwenna was the most modest and self-effacing person. She would have been astounded and pleased to know that so many friends and family would come to her memorial service. She would have been equally astounded to read the letters of love and admiration which so many of you have shared with us. This is just the kind of gathering that she inspired and organized so many times; unfortunately, she is here today only in spirit, but her spirit is strong upon us this afternoon.
I and others have noted that Edwenna was never happier that when she was singing, and it is wonderful that we have members of her two choral homes joining their voices today. Pasadena Pro Musica, her longtime community chorus, has dedicated their first concert of the season, which is tomorrow, to her memory. Details can be found in the memorial booklet; the program includes the Faure Requiem, one of Edwenna’s favorites. Tomorrow morning, and on subsequent Sundays, the Neighborhood Church Chorus will look and sound a little thinner without Edwenna’s presence and voice, even if she occasionally read the New Yorker during the second service. Edwenna often would tell me after singing on Sunday morning how much she enjoyed sitting with the chorus and looking out at all the friendly and familiar faces in the congregation. Appropriately, many of those friends are here today to honor her memory.
I have frequently pointed out with pride that the breadth and depth of Edwenna’s singing led her to be the only person known to have sung under both Eugene Ormandy, of the Philadelphia Orchestra back in the day, and Gustavo Dudamel, the current conductor of the LA Philharmonic. Sadly, nobody other than myself, not even Edwenna, has ever found this factoid the least bit interesting, but I am giving it one last chance.
Even as we hear about Edwenna’s accomplishments, I will also cherish the quiet times we spent together. These included lunch on our back porch featuring Edwenna’s incomparable grilled cheese and tomato sandwiches. I must have had over one thousand of these during the 50+ years we were married, and each one was better than the last.
I wish to quote my good friend Larry Caroff, a familiar figure to the astronomers amongst you and, coincidentally, a Swarthmore classmate of my sister, Rosemary. In reference to Edwenna he said “…she made the world a better place through her presence and her deeds..” These words will be echoed in the remembrances to be shared today by friends and family.
Again, thank you for joining us. We hope to greet you at the reception following the ceremony.