Edith Christine Weiser
Our dear Mom, friend, Grandma and Nanie finished her earthly work and found everlasting peace on March 27, 2012. She will be remembered for her faith, devotion to her family, impeccable ethics and determined optimism. Those characteristics are also the foundation of her legacy. Forever young, Edith Christine Blesedell Duchemin Weiser was born in Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada on February 25, 1911. She was given her own mother’s full name after she died of complications from Mom’s birth. Mom grew up when travel was by horseback and when the bathroom was out back. As a young woman she became a naturalized citizen and carried one of the first social security cards issued. She worked as a pediatrician’s assistant and weathered the Great Depression. In 1946 she married Earle Weiser, a mechanical and electrical engineer, and adopted his sons, Karl (Pam Roake) and Philip (Anne Ream, son Craig Weiser). Her family was complete with the birth of her daughter, Joan Weiser (Glen Moore, son Cooper Moore and daughter Carolyn Moore). Mom loved to tell the story of her three children, two by proxy and one by foxy.The family moved to Mercer Island in 1955 and she loved the entire Franklin Landing neighborhood as extended family. Earle passed in 1973 and Mom lived independently there until just a few weeks before her death. The neighboring Crinean and Hurlbut families formed a community lasting 57 years and a treasure in her life until her passing. A woman of many talents, she had a zest for living and was a woman ahead of her time. While raising her athletic family, she baked bread several times a week, raised chickens for their eggs and canned hundreds of quarts of fruit each year. She was a constant presence at her sons’ long distance running competitions, including witnessing them win the Mercer Island half marathons and numerous competitions at the University of Washington. For several years, she and Lee Clarke led the local Girl Scout Troop. She was a talented self taught pianist and published poet. She loved to recite poetry she had memorized in her childhood. Well into her 90’s, she actively managed her Leschi apartment building and her investment portfolio, and even used the computer for research. Were you at her 100th birthday party? President Obama sent her a card and 60 of her closest friends were there. She loved adventures and traveled extensively late in life. She believed in the power of knowledge and instilled a passion for education in all her family. Announced just days before her passing, she was thrilled to know that grandson Craig will soon enter a PhD program in History at the University of Mainz, Germany, that grandson Cooper was returning to finish his studies at the University of Washington, and granddaughter Carolyn was accepted into the graduate program in Physical Therapy at the University of Puget Sound. She never thought of herself as old. Many others agreed and knew she was special. She was winning her share of scrabble games and playing the piano just a few days ago. She held court at a family gathering just before slipping away. She lives on thru her long time participation in Alzheimer’s research, including as an organ donor. Mom, we love you, miss you, and will carry you in our hearts forever. A celebration of life will be held in July with details to follow.
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