..
Edwina Memories
If you want to send a memory to jjendron@usit.net, I'll add them to this page.
Note: These memories started before Edwina passed away, so some are in the present tense, and others in the past tense. The LLLI Memorial Page is at http://www.llli.org/edwina.html.
Janet Jendron, South Carolina, USA
In April 2008 I went to the Michigan LLLI Conference with Edwina. I spent the night at her house with Mary Ann Cahill. We had a great dinner; Edwina is a terrific cook!. She was, as usual, a wonderful listener. The next morning we took a cab to the train station. She had packed smallest bag I've ever seen, for a three day trip. I have a vivid memory of her flipping her bag over the train tracks as we were walking across. She was recovering from foot surgery, and she joked about packing less, since she only had to pack one shoe! We had the most incredible train ride that day! We met Nancy McDonough, a retired Leader, and her beautiful children. We all shared many heart stories during the three hour trip and walked off the train feeling uplifted and empowered. Edwina, Mary Ann and I were struck by Nancy's beautiful attitude and her powerful example as a loving wife and mother. My camera batteries were dead, but Nancy's daughter Annie captured this picture with her cell phone, and it will always remind me of a God-given time.
See the train picture at On the train 2008
Read Laura Probst's memory at the train station.
Still from Janet: Edwina was a precious friend to me, beginning from the time that I started my 11 year term on the LLLI Board of Directors.I also remember once, during a particularly tense Board member election, when we kept having tie votes between two candidates. We took a break and she told me she was going to pray. The next ballot, the vote changed and we did finish that election. But mostly I remember how humbly she left the room, to do her part in prayer. There are no words to describe the impact that I believe Edwina Froehlich had on my life and the lives of many others. She was one of the most balanced people I've ever known. She was always a great listener, yet was able to share herself candidly. She combined vision with attention to the details of the moment. She never missed an opportunity to talk about her wonderful family - sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren, without any sense of self-pride or "taking credit." She was fiercely independent and still humble. She shared her faith in words and actions and attitude, without judgment of others whose spirituality might be different. She was open to new and lofty ideas, yet still grounded in the practical things of daily life. Every moment with her seemed somehow cosmic to me, and I feel her spirit and presence still.
----------------------------------
From Pete Froehlich, Edwina's son:
Our childhood home of 3332 Rose Street was the first "mailing address" for the League. Mail came to the house, but, was then sorted and distributed to the other Founders for their reply. There was a whole bedroom that was stacked floor to ceiling with brochures, flyers, and pamphlets. It was essentially the League's initial storage locker until Mom determined that my oldest brother, Paul, needed his own room. She ALWAYS put familiy first. And, our dining room table was used more for collating, typing, and hole punching than it was for eating meals. The League's "first phone line" was our home phone. As a youth, it seemed there was a phone attached to her left ear. I remember Mom needing neck messages because her head was tilted left to press the phone between her left shoulder and left ear all day long, in an effort to free up her hands to handle the needs of three young boys. The phrase "multi-tasking" had to have been created with Mom in mind. These are my recollections as a five year old!
----------------------------------
From Jason Goodrich, son of retired Leader Ellen Goodrich King (Texas USA)
"Edwina Froehlich, helped found La Leche League..."
The line on the obituary schedule stopped me in my push to organize the news obits for the next day's edition. The name was familiar. I had attended the International conference in Chicago last summer with my mom, Ellen, my wife, Gretchen, and my 11-month-old son, Collin. What Edwina was noted for, however, took a second to sink in.
"Helped found La Leche League."
First, the jolt of sadness for a friend lost, even though I did not know her personally.
Then, Mom - she'll be heartbroken. I wonder if she knows already?
Next, a smile of dawning deep appreciation. Her and her friends' impact in my mom's life, my life, my new family's.
As an editor, my job is to weigh stories objectively, yet in context with the days events. It's always more of a challenge when a story hits close to home.
Edwina's life, however, speaks boldly for itself. Even though she was down-to-earth in life, I felt her passing was worthy of everyone's notice. Her obituary was displayed, rightfully, at the top of the page, as prominent as I could make it. It was a small thing to be able to do for a woman so influential.
Thanks, Edwina, for all that you've done.
See the article at Chicago Tribune article
Note from Ellen Goodrich:
Just to remind you about the background on this, my son Jason (Goodrich) works for the Chicago Tribune. Another one of those "grown up" LLL babies who spent years with a mom active in a variety of LLL positions! What he didn't mention in this small tribute was that he made sure that the story went out on the wires to the Associated Press, etc. for other newspapers to pick up. I asked him to write something about the evening he got the news of Edwina's death.
----------------------------------
From Pete Froehlich in response:
Jason, the whole Froehlich family thanks you for your consideration about our mother, Edwina. We thank you for making sure Edwina's passing was recognized by millions. She never sought attention or recognition, but, it certainly is nice that you were in position to provide it when she passed. And, more importantly, that you felt in your heart she deserved a position of prominence. I don't believe I ever had the pleasure of meeting your mother, but she must be wonderful. It may not be common for a man to consider a woman as his role model, but, I think you and I may have mothers that warrant it. Thanks again from all three of Edwina's sons!
----------------------------------
Charlotte Walkowski, Texas, USA
Our family has a new baby, but even in our new baby frenzy-of-joy here, I have Edwina and her family ever in my thoughts and prayers. In fact, during my daughter-in-law's labor on Wednesday,June 4, I thought how much Edwina's influence and action as a Founder over the years has made this a world so much more welcoming , hospitable, SAFE for the babies being born today.
I could see this influence in how their doctor, the nurses all were so focused on her labor being safe and joyful , and they were so encouraging and knowledgeable about breastfeeding.And they accepted the presence of caring , helping grandparents being there. This a difference I have seen over the years. It touched me to think of how much Edwina and all our LLL ladies have meant to babies and mothers throughout the world---and at that moment , to me and mine very directly!
Personally, I have always enjoyed every meeting and encounter with Edwina. I served on a BOD sub-committee with her years ago---I was awed at her leadership, tending to the details while still focused on the big picture and philosophy of LLL. Never stressed, calm and inspiring, open to listening to each one and making us feel so valuable...
It was about ten years ago, that I last saw her at a TX LLL conference. We had lunch together---she was recently a widow, I was a brand new grandmother. My daughter with her baby sat with us for lunch. Edwina's beautiful eyes and smile sparkled with us as we all marveled at the joy of having our parenting styles pass through the generations. She has truly touched so many and has indeed make the world a better place!
----------------------------------
From Martha Sears, California, USA
Of all the Founders, Edwina is the one who is the same age as my mother. Since I haven’t had my mom around since she died at the age of 52, when I was 24 (and our second baby, Bob, was only three weeks old) I took a special liking to Edwina. She even looked like I imagined my mother would have looked once she’d gotten older – pretty, soft face and dancing eyes. The photo of Edwina on the picture card with the poem about the light, love, power, and presence of God is beautiful. I’m going to print it on Kodak paper and frame it next to my mother/daughter collection. I have a photo of my mother carrying me in a backpack/baby carrier when I was a toddler (I was born in 45). I guess there were some women who wore their babies all the way back in the 40s! I like to think that Edwina and my mother would have been soul mates, or at least in the same LLL group or Attachment Parenting group! I do know that she breastfed me, but don’t know for how long. I never thought to ask her.
Picture of Martha Sears and her mother (Martha in the carrier!)
----------------------------------
From Janet Burtt, Pennsylvania, USA
I'm attaching a photo of my daughter, Ariel, grandson, Gabe and me, Janet at the conference last summer in Chicago. I'd had a wonderful visit with Edwina at lunch, and we shared a chuckle when I told her that I might just hold the record for taking the longest time to get accredited for Leadership: 27 years! I had to put it aside when I'd gotten divorced all those years ago.
When my grandson was born in 2002, my daughter got involved with LLL and wanted to become a Leader since she'd grown up around all my League/Leader friends in Idaho. I tagged along with her to the Area Conference in Western PA and the International Conference in DC to chase my grandson but got swallowed up. Inspired by spending some time in a building with other like-minded people and getting to meet the Founding Mothers in DC, (and a little nudge from Amy Shaw) I decided to "be a part of the change I wanted to see in the world." My daughter Ariel and I were both accredited in April of 2006. But she was accredited a few weeks before me. I feel so fortunate to have been able to share my story with Edwina, but especially for my daughter and grandson to have the opportunity to meet Edwina, one of my seven true Heroes, the Founding Mothers.
See the picture at LLLI Conference 2008 - Janet Burt
----------------------------------
From Sue Steilen, Illinois, USA
I loved Edwina’s wisdom and will always remember her saying at a meeting: "We don’t make mistakes; we have learning experiences."’
----------------------------------
From Vera Davis, Michigan USA
At the recent Michigan LLL Conference, I was so grateful for the chance to meet Edwina, and so inspired by her. The thing that stands out in my mind the most is Edwina’s encouragement when she said that LLL had seen hard times before, and that we’d come through it again as we had in the past. Thanks for the website. I so enjoyed the pictures, despite the tears.
See her pictures at
MI Conference 2008 - Vera Davis
MI Conference 2008 - Vera Davis 2
----------------------------------
From Ann Conlon-Smith, North Carolina USA
I once had a friend who had a photo of her Guru adorned with red dot on her forehead, placed lovingly on her dresser. She could see this photo from most vantage points in her bedroom and she spoke of this female spiritual leader with love and adoration. When I look at these closeup photos of Edwina Froelich, taken just a little over a month ago and I look straight into her eyes, I see a pool of love and devotion. Edwina's skin is so clear and glowing and she is everything that a beautiful woman can be while here on this earth. She has given and given to her own family and to a devoted following of young mothers for over 50 years. Edwina paved the way for us to become the mothers and women we have become. On each of the occasions that I have been blessed with the chance to meet with and to talk with Edwina, I have always been in awe of the aura she carried of peace and goodness and the resonance of a deep spirituality in her heart. Edwina also has a sophistication about her and a true joie de vive. I will be framing this photo of Edwina and it shall serve as an icon for me and of all that a woman can become while maintaining her humility and grace. She may not have a red dot on her forehead, but for me, she remains, my guru.
----------------------------------
From Peggy Stedman, New Jersey, USA
I think it was about 20+ years ago that Edwina came to New Jersey for one of our spring conferences in the southern end. My husband and I took her on a tour of historic Philadelphia. It poured rain and we both got soaking wet. That summer at the International Conference we both confessed that we got really sick afterwards. I loved that Edwina was such a good sport about it. I was mortified, of course. Our love and prayers are with Edwina and her family.
----------------------------------
From Mary Lou Moramarco, New Jersey, USA
These are two photos of us at the Chicago 2007 50th Anniversary Conference, unwinding after the busy days. Thanks for posting. One is Edwina myself and Cheryl Meyer and the other is Edwina, myself and Amy Shaw.
Chicago Conference 2008 - Mary Lou Moramarco
Chicago Conference 2008 - Mary Lou Moramarco 2
----------------------------------
From Sherron Collins, Michigan, USA
Mary Ann Cahill and Edwina were our Founders at the Michigan Conference in Grand Rapids, at Calvin College's Prince Conference Center on April 4 and 5, 2008. I had the privilege of buying lunch for them on Friday, and bringing it back to share with them. What an experience!
They both kept up with the business of the Conference, and sat in on a discussion after the Celebration Tea, addressing changes in LLLI. I was empowered by their encouragement to keep supporting mothers and babies.
Sharon's pictures are at:
MI Conference 2008 - Edwina and Mary Ann
MI Conference 2008 - Edwina and Mary Ann with Pat Knop
----------------------------------
From Elaine Shirron, New York, USA
Thank you for putting up that website with its tributes to our dear Edwina!
I have finally figured out how to get the pictures up on Picasa in order to share them! Included in this album are some true gems of Edwina Froelich and Mary Ann Cahill. You may have any of them that you'd like. There is even a video of Edwina from the last morning we all were there. We were having an enormous group hug. Edwina told us that they always said a specific prayer at the ends of their group hugs, so we all prayed. Here are the words of her prayer, even though I didn't capture the whole thing.
The light of God surrounds us;
The love of God enfolds us;
The power of God protects us;
The presence of God watches over us.
Wherever we are, God is.
And all is well.
Edwina is a remarkable woman and I'm proud to have been able to spend time getting to know her throughout the years.
Elaine's web page link.
http://picasaweb.google.com/elaineshirron/2008MIACf
Don Buckley has uploaded the video to the following site:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_JblhwMkpA
Another site to view the video is at:
http://web.mac.com/don.buckley/LLL_ICf_2007/Goodbye_Edwina.html
----------------------------------
From Sheila Angalet, New Jersey, USA
I have many fond memories of Edwina from over the years, but my most fun memory of her is from the Orlando International Conference in the late 1999...Edwina was onstage for something and the area around the steps (to come off the stage) were particularly dim. I extended a hand to all who came down those steps out of courtesy. Edwina however, took one look at my outstretched hand when she got to the steps and looked at me and said - do you think I'm OLD????? I felt so bad - because I never thought I was insinuating she was old - and told her of course not - she smiled and walked herself down those dim steps and back to her table.
She is a gracious lady and I am humbled and proud to know her and count her as a friend and one of the people I would strive to be like if I could.
----------------------------------
Katy Lebbing, Illinois, USA
When I was a relatively new Leader, and a new DA in Illinois, I was standing in the back of a room at LLLI Conference listening to Edwina speak. The room was filled to capacity, and it was standing room only. Edwina was sharing with the audience that she was changing from working at the LLLI Office to returning to leading the LLL group in her town, Franklin Park, IL. She said that she felt that it was right that the town where LLL started should have a group. Her husband had remodeled her basement into a finished family room for her; and she now had a large area for meetings with a refreshment area, and room enough for toddlers to play during the meetings. All of a sudden I felt a sinking feeling in my stomach. Franklin Park, IL was in in my district! I was going to be the DA of a FOUNDER! Gulp. You all know the end of this story, I am sure. When Edwina was a Leader in my district she would call me from time to time with normal questions for any DA. Edwina, like all of the Founders, has always been "one of us.." We may have put Edwina on a pedestal, but she never put herself there.
Every year Leaders, Leader Applicants, daughters, daughters-in-law, and friends of Berberi Chapter in Illinois meet for our annual Holiday Potluck and Sharing evening. Berberi Chapter is one of the Chapters in LLL that is very close to the LLLI office, and Edwina was one of our Leaders. After the potluck we always sit in a huge circle, and every woman shares something of interest, or a piece of wisdom, from the past year. In normal LLL fashion Edwina would say, "I'm Edwina Froehlich. I have three wonderful sons, and three wonderful daughters-in-law - who are all wonderful mothers!" As she spoke any noise in the room quieted, as Edwina was one of our wise mothers - who just happened to be a sister Leader. We all loved the wisdom she shared with us, and treasured the fact that she was one of us in our Chapter.
----------------------------------
From Vicki Shepherd, Michigan, USA, written to the MI LLL Leaders Listserv:
Edwina is an amazing woman. Some of you probably met her at the conference. Edwina always seemed to "remember" me whenever we met. Of course she probably didn't ... yet she is always so sincere that you just believe that she does, somehow remember, you even though she met 100's of mothers that same week. I had the pleasure of meeting her among other Founding Mothers and really was just so in awe. They are like rock stars for us LLL moms. So star struck was I in San Francisco that she got the unwanted pleasure of listening to me babble about her beautiful eyes. She did not call security about this crazed woman who trapped her in an elevator to tell her she had pretty eyes! And what was I thinking? All these terrific accomplishments, me going on about her eyes? Yet that is Edwina, so personable and down to earth that you forget for a moment that she is one of seven amazing women who changed the face of breastfeeding. You talk to her like you've known her forever. And graciously she listens, as if that were true. You can see Edwina when she is among the conference crowd that she takes into sight every single mother, baby, father and sibling, she is just so happy. Her eyes, so crisp, so blue, so clear - see the world she helped create. And what pours out - so much LLLLove.
----------------------------------
Posted after Edwina's passing:
From Sandy Moore-Furneaux, Oklahoma, USA
Dear Pete and all of Edwina's family,
Our hearts go out to you all as you mourn the loss of your dear
mother, grandmother, and special family member. We of La Leche League
mourn with you. Simultaneously, we celebrate your mother's life with
you and think of her with joy, remembering the many gifts she gave to
mothers, babies, and families all over the world with her enthusiasm,
energy, and passion for helping mothers breastfeed their babies as
well as for good mothering.
Without your mother, I do not believe La Leche League would have
become as active in promoting breastfeeding and good mothering, nor
would it have spread all over the world as it has. It is your mother's
energy and hard work that propelled La Leche League to such success
and visible presence around the world.
I was privileged to meet your mother once when I was still a young
mother myself, sometime in the 80s. I was awed by her energy--she was
a white-haired young lady with what appeared to be boundless energy
and spirit. The love she had for others and babies radiated outward
to everyone around. I was awed by her energy; indeed, I was both
intimidated, wondering how I could possibly live up to her example,
and inspired, feeling determined to at least make the effort to follow
in her footsteps.
Edwina Froehlich was the platinum standard for breastfeeding
advocacy as well as for mother love for all of us who knew her or who
read of her in La Leche League.
I know you will all miss her terribly. At the same time, I hope
you can all truly celebrate the life of a wonderful woman who gave so
much to so many, feel proud of her, and strive to be the kind of
warm-hearted, compassionate person she was.
Pete's response:
Sandy,
Thank you for the beautiful tribute to Edwina. Our family is
bursting with pride at the unsolicited response her passing has
caused. Your words mean a lot to us. The amazing thing is,
individually, all three of Edwina's sons felt as if we were the center
of her universe. Later, as adults, we realized that she somehow was
able to find time for a couple million other babies, the whole time
making us feel like we were all that mattered. It was her energy,
indeed, that made her special. And, she proved to us that Love is
not finite.
----------------------------------
From Anne Devereux, Dunedin, New Zealand
Edwina was an inspiration not just in her commitment to mothers and babies, but to the real worth of fathers. She was a shining light always beautifully dressed in shades of lavender and the essence of graciousness and understanding. I treasure the memories of the many times I spent with her and for the wisdom she shared. Her example is a spur to so many retired and mature Leaders to stay in touch with LLL, and to foster support for each other. Most of all I appreciate the gift her family gave us all, in this truly blessed woman.
----------------------------------
From Cordelia Koppitz, LLL Germany
I am so glad to have met Edwina at the conference and watch in awe her strength and empathy and sheer joy of living. Enclosed find my "memory" of her.
----------------------------------
From Heather Mace, Kansas, USA
I had the good fortune of meeting Edwina at the International Conference in the Founder's Room. Our discussion was lively in large part due to Edwina. Her compassion, acceptance, and tenacity were touching, and her spirit inspiring. Her spirit, boundless energy, and amazing ability to remain so modern will be greatly missed. I have included a group photo from after the discussion.
Founders' Parlor 2007 - Heather Mace
----------------------------------
From Ginny Braun, Michigan, USA
While I had seen Edwina at LLLI conferences and possibly spoken to her ( she
was SO approachable!), it wasn't until the recent Michigan area conference
that I had a chance to really talk with her and get her to sign my SEVEN
VOICES book without waiting in a long line. I was overwhelmed the next
day, when it was Edwina who put the LLL lanyard on my neck to recognize me
as a new leader! I began the accreditation process in 1972 and I've had 3
daughters become leaders before I got around to finishing it! She seemed to
enjoy the story of my LLL journey. There's a photo of that moment in the
memory book as MI Conference 20.
What an inspiration she has been and how sorely she will be missed! I only
hope we can carry on what she and the other Founding Moms began with the
integrity, love, peace, passion, and humility they have always shown.
.jpg){kind=link}
----------------------------------
From Pam Mills, Minnesota, USA
Edwina and I crossed paths at many Area Conferences when I was active on the USWD staff and traveling several times a year. She always greeted me as though I were an old friend, and I remember fondly how feisty and fun she was when we'd relax after a long day.
----------------------------------
From Helene Scheff, Rhode Island, USA
My first really strong and personal memory of Edwina was at the Toronto conference WAY BACK WHEN. Joan Crothers was the CLA and I was the ACL and the LLL Board had decided that each Board member and Founder would take an area under their wing - find out what was need and how they could help. Let it be known that Joan and I stretch to be 5 foot tall. There we were in our finest attire to go to dinner with Edwina. We all know how tall she is. Picture this: Joan and I practically running in our heels to try to keep up with her and she looking back to see what was taking us so long. Joan and I laugh about it still!
----------------------------------
From Rebecca Magalhaes, Illinois, USA
I am forwarding the photos of Edwina sent by the WABA office. As you will see, these are all photos of Edwina at the WABA/LLLI Mother Support Summit that took place before the Intl Conference a year ago. Edwina not only gave the keynote speech but she also attended and participated in quite a few Summit sessions. The second attachment is of Edwina with the award given to the Founders by WABA in the photo are the co-directors of WABA and another staff person.
----------------------------------
From Amanda MacMinn, New Jersey, USA
This is my memory of Edwina- I am pictured in one of the Founder's Parlor pics with her. ;)
During my stay in Chicago last summer I spent one night with a friend nearby instead of at the Hilton. When I returned the next morning my close friends and fellow Leaders had signed me up to visit the Founder's Parlor with them later that day. It seems odd now, but it would have never occurred to me to sign up. I wouldn't even know what to say!
Yet, when our appointment time neared I followed my friends to the Founder's Parlor nonetheless. We sat down and were joined by Mary White and Edwina. Shortly into the discussion Edwina was called out to do an interview. While she was gone some parts of the conversation were getting a little tense- but as soon as she walked in she managed to diffuse the whole thing with a wave of her hand and a smile in her eyes. Everyone in the room just immediately cooperated with her. She simply commanded a certain level of chutzpah.
At that same time she talked about being the mother of all boys and how those of us who have all boys are just a wee bit different. My three friends and I exchanged glances and grinned- as we have 10 boys between us and not a girl in the bunch. I always felt a special connection to Edwina after that. Yes we are a little different. (Mothering all boys is not for the faint of heart!) But if I am counted in the bunch of 'different' I will always be honored to be counted with Edwina.
----------------------------------
From Denise Bastien, Michigan, USA
For Edwina's family: My sympathy to you all on the loss of a wonderful lady. I was so fortunate to spend a good amount of time with Edwina at our recent LLL Michigan conference in April. After a lovely conference 'tea', we chatted for nearly an hour in a comfortable seating area. As Leaders often do, our talk turned to our families. I shared the young adult stages of my own children, and she shared insights on her sons finding their place in the world, in careers and hobbies and passions for life. It was evident how much she cherished her sons and their families, and how proud she was of what they all had done in their lives. I asked if they'd ever had trouble in school. She shared the story of one son decking the school bully and being briefly suspended for it, then having teachers tell her privately they were glad he'd stood up to the bully. This might be a memory you've heard many times, but the spin she had in telling it, and her intent to give me mother-to-mother support was priceless.
I eventually asked if she 'd like to come to a room party, she was delighted to attend. Edwina laughed into the night with many Leaders, sharing pot-luck snacks including pieces of a pink, candy, spike-heeled shoe. I walked with her when she left for her room, steering her toward the elevators, but she said she was fine with the stairs and sure enough she sailed down the steps like a fashion model, and gave me a gracious thank you at her door. Thank you for sharing your mom with us for 50 years. We honor Edwina's legacy and her beautiful spirit. There are two photos of Edwina during this talk on the sofas in the common room at the April 2008 LLL Michigan Conf in Elaine Shirron's collection at http://picasaweb.google.com/elaineshirron/2008MIACf.
Note from Pete Froehlich:
Thank you for the wonderful memory of Mom that you shared with us. The son who "decked" the school bully went on to be an Illinois Congressman. My brother Paul is the State Representative for Illinois District 56, and I have copied him with your message so he can feel Mom's pride.
----------------------------------
From Sue Roenke, New York, USA
I met Edwina when my first was a toddler, and she was very interested in me, as well as my toddler. When I saw her a few years after that, she seemed to still remember my toddler! At the previous LLLIC (2005), Edwina had offered to do one of the online chats, of which I was the hostess for and when she came in, I asked her if she wanted to type for herself. She immediately said oh, yes, and boy was she a pro at typing! Her topic was about being over 90 because she had just turned 90 and she was a great joy to chat with online. I will miss her smiling face greatly!
----------------------------------
From Gail Berke, Massachusetts, USA
I have a memory and I would love to share this particular one, even though it deals with some dark days in LLL history. But the whole picture I think tells the true story of Edwina. Edwina touched so many mothers and babies, there is no way to ever know how many. She remained true to the cause no matter what. She always gave that extra help too, as in the early to mid-80's when there was precious little money. LLLI Board of Director meetings were held in Edwina and John's basement family room among the grandchildren's toys, and pot luck meals (contributed by local Illinois Leaders) were shared in their kitchen and at the backyard picnic table. League "business as usual" had to continue no matter what, and Edwina saw to that! My own personal memory was in the early 90's when Betty Wagner was retiring and the first of many new Executive Directors came on board. With her impeccable sensitivity and concern, along with her indefatigable devotion to the pure cause of LLL, Edwina stood by the Board of Directors in those painful days, counseling, encouraging and guiding me as Chairman and the Board as a whole. (Not to mention the many nights I rested my head in her guest room and was energized for the next grueling day by one of her famous healthy breakfast smoothies!). I will be forever grateful to her for guiding and supporting me through what had to be one of the roughest times in LLL's history. Her loyalty to LLL and her devoted friendship to all of us who were trying to do our best to preserve LLL for future mothers and babies will never be forgotten. She was my Guardian Angel back then, I was blessed to have her guidance,and I will forever cherish her memory.
----------------------------------
From Laura Probst, Michigan, USA
I loved reading Nancy's perspective of meeting the Founders on the train!
Here's my perspective.
On the day before our 2008 Michigan Area Conference, I was in my car in the parking lot of the Kalamazoo train station, waiting for the train from Chicago and watching the meter-maid get closer to me as she wrote out tickets. I fished out some dimes and when she was 2 cars away I inserted them into my meter. Then I heard the train approaching so I crossed the street to meet Edwina, Mary Ann and Janet.
As the passengers embarked from the train, the first people I took note of were a woman and two girls carrying American Girl store bags. They were looked very happy and excited, and I smiled at them as they passed me. I wanted to speak to them but they were engrossed in each other. Finally, Mary Ann Cahill, Edwina Froehlich, and Janet Jendron got off the train and they hugged me in welcome. We crossed the street, loaded their luggage and tucked Edwina's long frame into my small car. They excitedly told me the story of meeting Nancy in the train and how the time just flew by. Then we drove to Target to use the restroom and buy drinks for our drive to Grand Rapids. I wished I had a Town Car for chauffeuring the Founders, these "LLL Rock Stars!"
After the conference was over and we were back at the train station on Sunday morning, Edwina let Mary Ann and Janet board the train before her. She hugged me as the engineer yelled to "keep all that crying and kissing on the platform or get on the train." Edwina whispered to me that she didn't know if or when we'd see each other again, thanked me for the weekend and climbed aboard. I couldn't see my friends to wave, so I walked back to my car and waited for the train to leave. I sat there and cried - partly because of her comment and partly because the weekend was over and the adrenaline was fading. It was tough saying goodbye - no International Conference to look forward to and really not knowing when you'll be together again.
----------------------------------
From Mary Baker, California, USA
Today, at our lunch date out, I told Don, my dear husband, about Edwina's love of a cosmopolitan cocktail. I also told him about wearing pearls to honor her. Several hours later when we returned home, he went to our safe, took out my pearls, and hung them around my neck, over the t-shirt and capris I had changed into. Then, he went to the bar and mixed two cosmopolitans. We settled down to read the weekend paper that comes here courtesy of his work, The Wall Street Journal. He exclaimed, "Oh, look!" There was a recent photo of Edwina, smiling at us both and a lengthy write-up. I felt quite emotional about the personal remembrance which he set up for us.
----------------------------------
From Susan Switzer, Georgia, USA
Oh how I'll miss Edwina! Here is a picture of her and me at the 50th anniversary conference last summer. I loved it so much that I used it in a mobile I made of my favorite photos for an "artist's way" workshop I took last fall. It is still hanging in my bathroom and seeing her makes me smile every morning.
----------------------------------
From Alison Stanton, Auckland, New Zealand
I have been involved with LLL since the late 1970's and became a Leader in 1990. In 2005 I was privileged to receive one of the LLLI Conference Scholarships and attended the International Conference for the first time. We begin each series meeting with a history of how La Leche League began so I was looking forward to this opportunity to meet the Founders. I was delighted when Edwina approached the LLLNZ table at the World Faire. Her warm smile put us at ease and she engaged in conversation about New Zealand. She graciously agreed to have her photograph taken and this approachability was how I saw her throughout the Conference. Eager to join in, she was present at the Irish party and later signed a book for me. It was a wonderful feeling to be in the presence of this special lady who had played a big part in the beginning of La Leche League and continued to do so with such enthusiasm. She is a role model who will remain an inspiration for me.
Alison's picture with Edwina, World's Faire 2005
----------------------------------
From Cecily Harkins, Oregon, USA, to Edwina's sons:
I am a long time Leader, "approved" in New Jersey back in 1966, a long time Texas Leader, former co- head of LAD, BOD member, etc. Edwina was special to me because she was the Founder ‘official’ who put the seal of approval on my second husband, Alex, in 1983 (I had been widowed) when he and I, then engaged, came to the International Conference with our many children in tow. In Chicago, months earlier your mom had told me I had to bring her my fiancé so she could look him over. She did … and she approved. That "approval" word sounds so much nicer than "accredited," heh?
Anyway, over the years with my many trips to Chicago, Edwina and I had great mother-to-mother talks. At one point she lamented that she thought she would never be a grandmother. Years later I teased her. When your mother decided to take y’all to Hawaii with her inheritance I thought, "What a great idea!" and have tucked it away hoping to do something similar one day. With 8 adult children and 2 just graduated from college I have a vision it just might happen.
I spent several times in your mom’s home, always bought your father’s latest poetry books for my daughter as gifts, and thoroughly enjoyed the wonderful human being who was your mother. I have read many of your replies to Leaders and see that you, three, can be justifiably proud, not only of your mother but of yourselves.
As mothers, we all hope, to mirror for our children the virtues and caring that meant so much to us. You guys exemplify that life and are passing it on to your children. Last time I saw Edwina was at the 50th anniversary conference in Chicago. I had come in early with other administrators and took a stroll outside the hotel for dinner. Sitting down in the small, crowded ethnic restaurant I looked up at the occupants of the table that was almost touching ours, recognizing a voice. It was your mother and Marian Tompson, and they were both happily engaged in female bonding. Later, I saw Edwina at the Irish shin-dig where she was always the hit of the party. What beautfiul memories!
----------------------------------
Tributes to Edwina from Attachment Parenting International
----------------------------------
Send your memory to jjendron@usit.net, and I'll do my best to get them all on this web page!