Edith Elizabeth (Wadsworth) Schwendeman

October 3, 1917 — May 21, 2014

Edith Elizabeth (Wadsworth) Schwendeman, 96 of Lopez Island, Wash., passed away peacefully May 21, 2014, at Mt. Baker Care Center in Bellingham, Wash., where she had resided for just over one year.

The sole surviving child of John and Annie Wadsworth, who were from England, she was born on Oct. 3, 1917, in Schiller Park, Ill.

Edith married Harold R. Schwendeman (deceased 2/8/95) on Aug. 10, 1940, and they resided in Franklin Park, Ill., until retiring to Lopez Island, Wash. in 1974.

As many of her Lopez friends know, Edith was a very accomplished lapidary (cutting & polishing stones) as well as goldsmith and silversmith, and in younger days, received many awards for her hand made jewelry.

She was also one of the original founding members of the Lopez Island Enchanted Quilters and hand-quilted 17 quilts. In the last few years arthritis had prevented Edith from continuing her hobbies.

Survivors include; one son, Harold (Ray) and daughter-in-law Kathleen (Kathy) Schwendeman of Sumner, Wash., and four grandsons, Thomas (Kirsten) Schwendeman and family of Clayton, Wis., Craig (Kristy) Schwendeman and family of Sumner, Wash., Daniel (Naoko) Schwendeman and family of Farmington, Utah, and Eric (Wendy) Schwendeman and family of St. Croix Falls, Wis.

Edith is also the great-grandmother of 16 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren. (Whew!)

Graveside services will be held on Friday, May 30, 2014 at 12:30 p.m. at Lopez Union Cemetery, 312 Davis Bay Road, followed by a memorial service at 1:30 p.m. at Lopez Island Community Church, at 91 Lopez Road, officiated by Pastor Jeff Smith, and followed by a reception in the church hall.

Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Anacortes, Wash., and the San Juan Islands.

To share memories of Edith, please sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com.

— Family of Edith Elizabeth Schwendeman