Obituary of Edith V. Spain

Edith Verdun was born on December 22, 1925 in New Iberia, Louisiana, the sixth of eight children born to Louise DeBlanc and Walter J. Verdun. She grew up in a loving family and attended St .Edwards Catholic School from kindergarten through 12th grade, under the guidance of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament. Sadly, Edith lost two of her brothers, Raymond and Donald, in childhood. Edith was an excellent student and entered Xavier University in New Orleans at the age of 16. Here she met Louis Spain, who became her cherished husband of 61 years. Edith graduated from Xavier in 1946 as her class Valedictorian with a Bachelors Degree in Homemaking Arts. She subsequently attended Michigan State University, where she obtained her teaching certificate. She married Louis in 1947 in Chicago, IL, raising five children. Edith was actively involved in St Matthews and Saint Ailbe's church where she was named the "Grand Mother of the Year" and received the "Archbishop Tolton Award" for outstanding Christian Ministry. Edith taught for more than 40 years, retiring from the Chicago Board of Education at the age of 67. In 1996, she and Louis moved to Washington state, living in Lakewood for the last 10 years as an active member of St John Bosco Church. Edith and Louis' lives were dedicated to caring for others, bringing joy, support, and lots of good food to friends, family and anyone else in need. She tirelessly donated her time, talent and treasure to her church and many charitable organizations and endeavors. The matriarch of her large extended family, she was always the center of all of their gatherings. She became an "adopted mother " to many over the course of her wonderful life. Edith was preceded in joining the Lord by her parents, Walter and Louise, her brother Harold and sisters, Juanita Williams and Ruth Bastian. She leaves behind her loving husband Louis, Sr., her brothers Murray Verdun and Walter Verdun, Jr., her children Louis Spain, Jr., Anne Marie Wilbon, Loren Spain, Ellen Early and her husband ,Dennis Early, Sr., Claire Spain-Remy and her husband, Claude Remy as well as her beloved godchild, Jeanette Joseph. She also leaves nine grandchildren, Erica Spain, Kelly Spain, Elizabeth Alston (Lenardo Smith), Reginald Wilbon, Dennis Early, Jr., Camille Wilbon-Holt, Dominique, Danielle, and Nicole Edith Remy as well as 6 great-children, Imani, Kenny, Darnell, Payton, Haley and Shaniqua, many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Edith's name to Phoenix Housing, Attn: Maria Rash, 2300 S. Washington Ave., Tacoma, WA 98405.