Edith Edwards Garrard, 90, slipped quietly away to rejoin beloved husband Willis on Wednesday morning, 18 February 2015. Born on 11th Avenue to David and Bertha (Pearson) Edwards, 4 July 1924, she had seven brothers and one sister who called her their little "firecracker." She dearly loved Salt Lake City and graduated from West High School, was a cadet nurse in the LDS Hospital Nursing program, and graduated with honors from the University of Utah with a BSN. Her marriage to Willis began in the Salt Lake Temple on 30 Jan 1947 with President David O. McKay officiating.
Edith loved children, walking, swimming, reading, crocheting, laughing-- and ice cream! She especially loved family. She enjoyed living in Texas, Alabama, Illinois, West Virginia, Idaho, and California (where she served a mission in San Francisco with Willis 1989-90, and experienced a 7.5 earthquake). Their busy family included Linda Maurine Sharpe (Jerry), Paul Grady (Sandy), Ruth Ellen Sullivan, Laura Jean Heiner (Dan), and Bruce Edwards (Diane). Among other things, Edith served as Relief Society President, Young Women's President, was an officer in Kanawha County WV Medical Auxiliary, PTA, American Association of University Women, hosted a Rotary Swedish exchange student, was a pink lady with Charleston General Hospital (9 years) and LDS Hospital (15+ years); worked as Supervisor of the Medical floor at Cassia Memorial Hospital, travelled to Hawaii, France, Italy, Greece, Germany, Switzerland, England, Jerusalem, Egypt. Reminder to all: \"Be couth!\"
Edith was preceded in death by her son Bruce; sister Althea Stoddard; brothers David, Henry, Morris, Rulon, Elliott, and Ralph Edwards. She is survived by her brother Marcus Edwards; 4 children; 25 grandchildren; 37 great -grandchildren (with 2 more on way); and 2 great-greats.
The funeral will be held at noon Wednesday, February 25, at Larkin Mortuary, 260 E. South Temple in Salt Lake City. Friends and family may visit from 6-8 pm Tuesday, February 24, and from 11 to 11:45 am Wednesday prior to service. Interment will be in the Salt Lake City Cemetery. Online condolences may be left at www.larkincares.com. Special thanks to the kind and gracious staff at Emeritus, which was Edith's home since 2012.
