Edith Thornton

Edie was a bright, fun, sharing friend who will never be forgotten. She taught me a duet on the piano, played field hockey with us, and took particitpated in our 8th grade play '1776'. I was sad to hear of her unexpected passing - Edie will remain forever young in my mind, and her smile and shortened life will inspire me to slow down and smile a little more myself. Your family is in our prayers.

I was sadden to read today that my high school friend Clare Perry's sister passed away. I wanted to let Clare and her family know that they are in my thoughts and prayers.

Edie was my wife, but, sadly, I guess, not the mother of any of my children, though they too loved her and are deeply saddened. Having a new family was not what I had been planning on during the downward trajectory of my life. Until I met Edie. At first, it wasn't serious, we were just having fun. And when Edie and I had fun, we had way too much. Our first summer I remember feeling so proud sitting in the stands watching her play softball. As a Title IX 'girl', she could hit, field, throw and run better than me. Edie loved Dan and Louise, who I never met, but she freely admitted their human flaws. Deep down inside I think Edie and I were like a couple of wounded and neglected children who found each other on the edge of the playground and couldn't help but be drawn together and become best friends and playmates. Playmates: I remember being on the ocean beach at Lewes, she trying to body surf, me content to get knocked around by the waves, and seeing dolphins swim by as a flock of pelicans flew over. My mother, who is 91, is now losing her memory, except for the deeply rooted memories of the past, and she still remembers Edie, who was so loving towards her. On Edie's watch, I pulled some things together, got some papers published, and recently got promoted. She made me dare to dream again. For us, a baby never came. I will never know what difference it might have made. At some point when I had lost hope that I could be 'part of the solution' for Edie, I felt I had no choice but to withdraw. While I may have 'fallen out of love', I always continued to love Edie, as did my family and friends. I long ago gave up needless 'guilt', but I wonder if someone else might have made a difference. The last time I spoke to Edie I was calling to warn her that she might run into me with a new girlfriend and, specifically, girlfriend's new baby. I could not have imagined the astounding news she had for me. In some bizarre twist of fate, I find myself, in no small part thanks to Edie, in Montenegro for the year. On my way here I stopped in Zagreb to visit Vlado, our landlord and friend in 2004 during Edie's Fulbright, and it was there that I received her email telling me the heartbreaking news. Then a week ago came that email that instantly diminished my life. We, all of us, are ultimately selfish in our love. We want Edie in this life because of what she did for us. But her pain and suffering in this life are over, and we must respect her choices. I take some comfort in the thought, which I am sure were among her last thoughts, that perhaps she is with Dan and Louise in some better life where everything is better. And even Buddy and Mr. Jones.

The first time I met Edie I knew she was special and we loved her right away! Her and my dad came to Washington to visit us and we went to the Ocean and walked with our dogs. We went out dancing with my friends and she fit right in with her great style and fun-spirited personality. When my sister, son (Xavier) and I went to Wisconsin to visit at their house we had wonderful dinners together out on the sun porch, talking, laughing, and having a great time together. She was like one of the girls to us and we were so thrilled that her and my dad had found eachother. Although her and my dad separated it did not change how we felt about her and we missed her terribly and continued to love her. My only regret is that we did not keep in contact with her more and see her last time we were out there. She will be missed by us and thought of often. We love you Edie and will always remember you with a smile and love in our hearts...'Son of a Preacher Man', will forever remind me of you. All our love and sincerest best wishes for her friends and family. Sasha, Kaila, and Xavier