Edith Virginia Dickinson 1927—2015 | Passages
Published 12:00 pm Tuesday, July 14, 2015
Edith Virginia Dickinson passed away on June 29, 2015 at Ashley Gardens of Mount Vernon. Edith was born on the farm in Welcome, Minnesota to Temple and Eloise Goetz on January 31, 1927.
After finishing high school, she attended Hamline University where she earned her teaching degree. She began teaching English and Art classes in Idaho and then took a job as an administrative leader with the Girl Scouts of America, which brought her to Washington State. There, through mutual friends, she met John W. Dickinson and they began their relationship while skiing on Snoqualmie Pass after he helped her up from a fall.
They lived on a house boat on Lake Union and always dreamed of living in the San Juan Islands. They were married on Orcas Island and moved to Friday Harbor in 1958 to their home on Argyle Avenue, where they raised their 3 daughters and Edith started her fabulous garden.
Edith loved serving her community and soon became involved in Girl Scouts, Blue Birds, the PTA, served on the school board, she was elected to the Friday Harbor Town Council, wrote columns for the Island’s Sounder, belonged to the Historical Society and local gardening clubs and groups.
She and John welcomed friends into their home for sing-a-longs, cider pressing parties, and gatherings. Edith was quick to share her garden vegetables, flowers and apples with anyone.
People dropped by often looking for flowers they needed for weddings or special occasions, and it gave her such pride to provide whatever she could to help them out.
Edith would want to be remembered for her expert knowledge, wisdom, and advice in caring for all growing things, especially her roses. And, if you are ever in need of good gardening advice, it would give Edith a chuckle if you said to yourself “What would Edith do?”
Edith was preceded in death by her father Temple Goetz, her mother, Eloise, her husband John Dickinson, and her sister Barbara Ekern. She is survived by her daughters Elizabeth Dickinson, Sally(Brett) Rogers Susan(Paul) Noste, and grandchildren Chelsea Rogers, Jesse Rogers, Emily (Kyle) Hart, and Molly Noste.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, August 29,2015 at the San Juan County fairgrounds in Friday Harbor from 1 to 3 p.m.
Memorials may be made to: San Juan Historical Museum, Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor, or an Island charity of your choice.
Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., Anacortes, WA and the San Juan Islands. To share memories of Edith, please sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com.
