Thursday, October 9, 2014
Edith and my mother were first cousins--they both shared the same grandparents: Henry James Balne and Ellen Clara Tant Balne. Edith and Gertrude were both born the same year, 1919. Eadie was the youngest daughter of Ellen and Henry's oldest son, and my mother, Gertrude was the only child of Ellen and Henry's youngest daughter. Edith and Gertrude shared many outrageous adventures as they grew up. Eadie would hilariously recount setting my mother up on blind dates in Palisades Park, New Jersey--my mother would counter how she managed to stick Eadie with changing my diapers while my mom took a relaxing bath. Eadie and Gertrude, in a room together, made me think of an ongoing ping pong match--one that usually ended in a draw with gales of laughter all around. While Edith is really my cousin, she quickly became more like a substitute mom to me. She just scooped me up after my mom passed and became my close mentor and sounding board for many years. We maintained steady e-mail communications, practically once a week, where she would dazzle me with her sly wit and entertain me with many fabulous stories from her past. This morning in Maryland the dark blue sky was brushed with deep shades of pink/coral/red, I had the instant feeling that those two had paired up again and were painting the sky red together. It is with great sadness that I acknowledge Eadie's passing, but am so pleased to have been able to share slivers of her life. Eadie, you will always remain in my thoughts and heart. Love you bunches! Vivienne Ellen
