The Heart of Humility:
Celebrating Edna
Have you ever walked into a room and felt instantly at home? As if you’d been there before, surrounded by family? That’s exactly how I felt the moment I stepped into Edna’s cozy home of over sixty years, where she and her niece Betty welcomed me with warmth and kindness.
At 95 years old, Edna is the youngest of seven children. Time has carried her through joy and loss, and she has outlived her siblings and even several nieces and nephews. Yet when she speaks of them, her voice carries not sadness, but affection.
Edna’s journey began early. At just 14 years old, she received her working papers and began carving out her path. Over the years, she wore many hats, but it was her long career in the insurance industry—spanning three decades—that even sent her on a cruise to Bermuda.
“She had worked there the longest,” Betty shared, adding that her mother—Edna’s sister—was able to accompany her on the trip.
Betty, whom Edna lovingly refers to as one of her “Originals,” plays a large role in her care today, continuing the close family traditions that mean so much to them both.
Friday nights at Auntie’s home became legendary within the family. “This was the place to be,” Betty recalled. Those gatherings—filled with laughter, stories, and connection—still live on with Edna, Betty, and another cousin who keep the tradition alive.
Spend any time with Edna, and you’ll quickly discover her spirit. She is witty, engaging, and always ready with a story. She reminisced about vacations, her love for reading, her faith, and the joy of nurturing relationships. She also spoke about monthly gatherings with a group of twenty friends—times filled with laughter over shared memories. Though many of those dear friends have since passed, she still treasures a friendship that began in first grade. “We tease each other now,” she chuckled. “She tells me she can still walk, and I tell her I can still see.”
Humble to the core, Edna would rather tell you about the accomplishments of others than her own. She shines the spotlight on her siblings who served bravely in World War II, her nieces who she insists “do more for her than she ever did for them,” and her dedicated caregivers at ABC Home Healthcare. She praises them not just for providing excellent care, but for bringing companionship and laughter into her home.
Of course, she jokes about their healthy meal choices. When asked what she’d rather eat instead of fiber, fruits, and vegetables, she laughed and said, “Everything that’s not good for me!”
What Edna won’t boast about—but Betty is quick to share—is her own caregiving heart. She once cared for her mother and sisters with grace and devotion, downplaying it as simply “what everyone did.” But it’s clear to those who know her that Edna’s giving spirit has been woven through her life.
When asked what has carried her through 95 years with such light and resilience, Edna doesn’t claim any secret recipe. Instead, she offers simple wisdom: “I keep the good memories and let the bad ones go. I stay positive.”
It’s that attitude, paired with her faith and playful wit, that makes Edna unforgettable. Her modesty might suggest otherwise, but from the moment you meet her, it’s obvious why so many are drawn to her warmth.
Today, Edna’s story continues to unfold. She still devours novels, delights in phone calls with her lifelong friend, treasures her caregivers, and savors Friday nights with her “Originals.” With five generations of family love to hold close, Edna embodies grace, humility, and joy.
And through it all, Edna holds firmly to her faith, trusting that everything will happen “in God’s time.”
A personal note from the Author – Lisa Viliott – ABC Community and Marketing Liaison:
I hope you found something in it that resonates with you. If you have any questions, thoughts, or would like to chat more about a topic, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m always happy to connect and offer any advice or support I can!
