Edith Jacqueline Wilson (Larsen) of Del Norte, CO passed away peacefully on March 9th, 2024. Edie was born on April 28th, 1932, in Scranton, PA. After relocating to upstate NY at a very young age, her family lived in a 3-room converted chicken coop in Youngs Station, NY where she assumed cooking responsibilities for the family by age 11. She earned her BS degree from Hartwick college in Oneonta, followed by a master’s degree in nursing from Syracuse University.
Shortly after graduating with her first degree, her brother John bought a car from a dealership owned by Ralph Larsen in Oneonta. John quickly realized that Ralph might be a good pairing for Edith, so he introduced them. We do not know if the car was a lemon, but Edith most certainly was not. After a courtship of only three months, including many meals at The Old Mill near Mount Upton, they were married in 1954.
They lived in Oneonta for several years, where Edie worked nights to support the family while Ralph worked on his graduate degree. They later moved to Cazenovia, where she taught nursing at Morrisville College.
In 1972 the family moved to Norwich to be more centrally located to Ralph’s property development projects. Again, she worked nights while keeping the house clean and home-cooked meals on the table. She became head nurse of ICU at Chenango Memorial Hospital and in charge of infection control. In the 1980’s she taught nursing in poor regions of Peru via the Institute of Cultural Affairs. She was also a hospice nurse and volunteered at a clinic in San Diego for underprivileged people.
Animals held a special place in Edith’s heart. At one time she was fostering 14 dogs and several horses, gently rehabilitating, and socializing them for adoption. She was also a big contributor to local projects in Del Norte as well as international charities. She was known as a kind and generous spirit.
Edith was predeceased by her husband Ralph, her parents John Wilson and Edith Wilson (Waldron), and her two brothers John and Bob. She is survived by her four children Eric Larsen (Pam) of Norwich, Cristi Larsen of Del Norte, CO, Mark Larsen (Lekkie) of Norwich, and Curt Larsen of Del Norte. Her grandchildren are Carrie Larsen, Lindsey Miles (Eric), Rachel Flanagan (Michael), Jessica Santos, Alexander Larsen, and Emma Larsen. There are also five great-grandchildren.
Edith requested no calling hours or funeral service, but a celebration of life will take place in Del Norte, CO on March 23rd. A Norwich area celebration of life will take place on a date to be determined in Norwich, NY. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to:
The Conour dog shelter, 2825 Sherman Avenue, Monte Vista, CO 81144719-852-3366.
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