Edith Ellen Whitford

After a life well lived, our beautiful and beloved Mom departed this world on Friday May 17th at the age of 99.

Edith is survived by her loving family - Ellen (Buddy), Randy (Cindy), Greg (Judy), Shelley (Bruce), Kevin (Sue), Cheryl (Ken), 13 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, and 4 great great grandchildren. Edith was predeceased by Garry - the love of her life for over 70 years, sons Paul Archie and Kim, parents Earl and Ellen Vollrath, 5 sisters, and 3 brothers.

Edith was born in Cardiff, Alberta, and was the oldest child of Earl and Ellen Vollrath. Earl was a farmer and a coal miner. The family moved around Alberta wherever there was coal mining work. Edith and her siblings, Gloria, Rose, Gladys, Lee, Bob, Florence, Wayne, and Virgine were close throughout their lives.

Growing up in a large family, Edith was never afraid of hard work. Throughout her younger years she worked in many capacities such as a camp cook in Nordegg, checking engines for cracks at aircraft repair in Edmonton, and picking fruit in BC. Although Edith’s modesty always minimized her part, she played a very significant role during WWII from late 1944 until the end of the war, as a “bomb girl” in Ajax, Ontario. While working in the munitions plant, Edith handled dangerous materials used in the production of artillery shells. The memorabilia that Edith collected during her time in Ajax became part of “The Forever Changed Exhibit” at the Canadian War Museum during the 75th anniversary of the end of WWII. Edith represented one of the many roles that over 300,000 Canadian women performed during the war. Our family is incredibly proud of this amazing achievement.

In 1952, Edith married Garry, the love of her life, and they raised 7 children together. Family was everything to Edith and Garry and they opened their hearts and home to everyone. Edith instilled her love of gardening, bird watching, sports, camping, and travelling with her family. However, it was the love of cooking and baking that her family enjoyed the most. Arriving home from school to fresh homemade hamburger stew, baked bread, cookies, donuts, and especially bannock was always something we looked forward to from the minute we got off the school bus. She lovingly shared her recipes and skills with her children, grandchildren, and anyone else that wanted to learn. Days spent playing cards, dice, and games with her will always be cherished.

Edith was an amazing woman whose compassion, kindness, strength, wisdom, and love were shared without hesitation. Her sharp wit and humour never left her, even in the late stages of her life, nor did the “eyebrow” known to everyone. She was the heart and soul of our family and will be missed dearly by all who knew her.

Our family would like to thank all the amazing staff at Kipnes Centre for Veterans for their support, dedication, and compassionate care of Edith the past 5 years. In her final hours, we were incredibly touched by the genuine and heartfelt goodbyes that we witnessed as her caregivers came in one last time to see her and tell her they would miss her. Their kindness to our family during this time was greatly appreciated.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday May 28, 2024, at 11:00 am at Memories Funeral Home, located at 13403 St. Albert Trail, Edmonton.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Edith’s name may be made to Capital Care Kipnes or the Alzheimer Society of Alberta and the North West Territories.