Alida Beamon Edwards, died peacefully on Aug. 17, surrounded by family members at Edgehill Retirement Home in Stamford, Conn., at the age of 100-plus years old.
Born on Nov. 9, 1908 in Suffolk, Va., to William and Mary Beamon, Alida went on to graduate from Maryland College for Women with a degree in physical education. She was married to Gordon Edwards from Franklin, Va., on Oct. 22, 1932 moving to Washington, D.C., where she worked as a secretary as he finished his college degree.
They lived for a brief time in Jackson Heights near New York City and then moved to the Chicago area, where they lived for 30 years raising their three children, Gordon, Patricia and Alida. In 1966, they moved to Greenwich, Conn., in order for Gordon to accept his promotion to the position of chief executive officer and chairman of the board of National Dairy Products Corporation (now Kraft Inc.)
Alida was an artist, a craftsperson, bridge player and a champion golfer, who easily met and made friends everywhere she went. She volunteered for many years at the Second Congregational Church in Greenwich, Conn., and her Southern charm and humor made her an especially effective member of their rummage store, Act II, where she was honored with a special celebration luncheon when she left.
She is survived by her three children, Gordon B. Edwards, of Chicago, Ill., Patricia Platt, of Riverside, Conn., and Alida Meyers, of Stamford Conn., five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Private family services will be held at a future date.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Vitas Hospice Care, 777 Commerce Drive, Suite 220, Fairfield, CT 06825.