“Edie” passed away peacefully and gracefully in Nelson on March 31, 2014 at the age of 85. Edie was born and raised at Willow Point by her mother, Bertha Heddle, having lost her father, Malcolm Heddle, to diabetes six days after she was born. She was also predeceased by her husband, Joe and her brothers, Malcolm and his wife Alberta and Duncan Heddle. Edie graduated in 1946 and worked at Mann’s Drugs in Nelson before her marriage to Joseph (Joe) Mitchell in 1954. Together they built a home on Heddle Road where Edie honed her gardening and baking skills which she would enjoy her entire life. There were very few plants that Edie could not propagate. Together with their son, Blair, they moved to Terrace in 1963 where Edie became very involved in the Eastern Star and the Anglican Church and where she met many life-long friends. They retired to Sicamous in 1978. Edie loved coming back to Nelson on holidays, had a great interest in people and had a truly amazing memory of the Nelson pioneers, their families, their businesses and could easily point out where they were located along Baker Street as well as who were the original owners of many homes along the North Shore. After her husband died in 2001, Edie moved back to Nelson and was so pleased to return to the church of her youth, St. Andrew’s by the Lake. She was a truly magnificent Aunt to her brother’s children and grandchildren as well as Joe’s nephews and nieces and will always be lovingly remembered by them all. Edie had a wonderful, gentle disposition and was a beautiful example to her family as she quietly coped as a severe diabetic for over 65 years.
Edie is survived by her son David Blair, his wife Susan and their children, Rachel and Ian of Salmon Arm, her cousins Fred Heddle (Audrey) of Nelson, Alice Bustard (Reg) of Ottawa, Ted (Barb) Healey of Castlegar, sister –in-laws Ann Mitchell of England and Marilyn Heddle of Vancouver and her devoted nieces and nephews Elaine Martin of Montrose, Joan (Lew)Jordan of Nelson, Susan (Ron) Durant of Kamloops, Sharry (Jack) Heighton of Salmo as well as Murray Heddle of Nelson and his sisters, Libby Zoschke (Les), Peggy Neal (Jim) and Kathleen Bryden (Mike) of Vancouver together with numerous great nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Dr. And Mrs. Brian Woodward and Dr. Trevor Janz for their wonderful care as well as the love and attention she received from the staff at Mountain Lake Seniors Community in Nelson and the Kootenay Lake General Hospital over the last several years.
A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, April 16th, 2014 at 11:00am at St. Saviour’s Anglican Church, 723 Ward Street, Nelson with Reverend Marcella Mugford officiating.
A Graveside Service will be held on Wednesday, April 30, 2014 at 1:00 PM from the Solsqua Cemetery in Sicamous, BC.
As an expression of sympathy donations may be made to the Kootenay Lake Hospital Foundation, 3 View Street, Nelson, BC V1L 2V1.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.thompsonfs.ca
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Thompson Funeral Service Ltd.