Florence Wight Edelstein
Florence Edelstein, a Sacramento, Ca., native who died Feb. 26, packed a lot of living into her memorable 86 years. Mrs. Edelstein was the fifth child born to Arthur Gardener Wight and his wife, the former Jennie Anita Donald, on Mar. 15, 1924.
One of seven children, young Florence succeeded in paying her own way to a social work degree at San Francisco State College. She often told friends about lean undergraduate years when she and Vera, her college roommate, scraped by sharing a single baked potato for dinner..
At college Florence met and married a fellow student, World War II veteran Alexander (Alex) Edelstein. The couple lived in Modesto, CA, and Minneapolis before settling in Seattle in 1954 where they raised their four children. .
In the 1960s, Florence authored a popular monthly column, “Americans Abroad,” for the Seattle Times. A typical column was headlined: “Christmas in Denmark” and told how her two sons and two daughters adjusted to cross-cultural yuletide customs as Alex’s career took the family to Copenhagen, Denmark and later to Belgrade, Yugoslavia.
In Seattle Mrs. Edelstein tended her family while actively participating in community and politics. She was known for her optimism and her tireless support of her seven grandchildren. She was a passionate follower of Nathan Hale music and Husky sports. She worked first as a volunteer and then as a staffer at the University of Washington Medical Center, helping patients navigate complex systems.
Her husband and her grandson Alexander predeceased Mrs. Edelstein. Her survivors include sons David (wife Catherine Michiel); Douglas (Roberta Lindeman), and daughters Jane Chadsey (Terry) of Seattle, her brother Jim Wight and Susan Palmer (Michael) of Woodinville. Her surviving grandchildren include Brian and Emily Goetz, Andy Palmer, David Ayala-Lindeman, and Laurel and Raliegh Edelstein.
Mrs. Edelstein will be laid to rest at Lake View Cemetery. A reception will be held at 3906 1st Ave NE (Florence’s home) from 4-6PM on Saturday, March 12th. We welcome friends and family to the reception to celebrate her wonderful life.
Memorial Gifts
Memorial gifts in Florence's name can be made to the following organizations. Both were important to her.
Nathan Hale Music Department
10750 30th Ave NE
Seattle WA 98125
Children's Hospital Foundation: Uncompensated Care
PO Box 5371
Mailstop S200
Seattle, WA 98145