Beata C. Edwards

October 25, 1931 - June 15, 2016

Though she was born in the small Minnesota town of Jeffers, on October 25, 1931, Beata Cecelia Edwards had the and ambition and vision to graduate from the Mayo Clinic as a registered nurse, travel throughout Europe, work in England as a nurse, and receive a Bachelor’s Degree in International Affairs from Lewis and Clark College. But, beyond any of these achievements, she was the beloved daughter of Elmer and Marie Peterson, sister of Morris and Marion, the treasured “Katrinka” to her husband Dr. Thomas Allen Edwards, and cherished mother of Barbara, Gwen, Nancy, Mary and Tommy. Her innate curiosity and interest in the world around her made her life vital and engaged. She had the opportunity to live in many different cities and states including Salem, Oregon; West Lafayette, Indiana; Johnson City Tennessee, Silver Springs, Maryland; Salem, Virginia; New Jersey; Richmond, Virginia: Suffolk, Virginia, and finally returning to Oregon. She made the most of each move, enjoying the different cultures of each and involving herself in the community through the Literacy Guild and AAUW, and association of women college graduates who did community outreach work. But particularly special to her heart was her work with the Literacy Guild where she volunteered to teach reading. More than anything else, Beata was a voracious reader, and it was this vital connection to the whole world that she gave to her children and even other friends and family. Other than simply being who she was to those who loved her, it was her greatest gift. We all miss you and love you so deeply! We have great sorrow that you have left, but rejoice in all the memories you left with us! It has been said that when a ship leaves a shore, there are always many people standing on the shore waving tearful goodbyes. As the ship moves away in the distance, getting small and smaller, and then out of sight, those loved ones on the shore might feel great sadness. But they should remember that as the ship slips over the horizon out of their sight, on another shore, there is great shout of joy and greetings as other loved ones stand to welcome a the cherished home! To that which is truly home, an everlasting home, a perfect home where we are surrounded by loved ones once lost, but now found for eternity! Mom, I know that your parents, your sister Marion, your daughter Gwen, son Tommy, and husband Tom, and so many departed friends, were all there to greet you with open arms and loving, grateful hearts! We must remember their new joy and yours and let it temper or own sorrows!