| A memorial service was held on December 29th,
1999 to celebrate Edith Messinger's life. Executive Board members,
Michael Olek and Judy Seiler, felt privileged to speak on behalf of the
members of Messinger Woods.
Farewell
to Edith
by Michael R. Olek
I first met Edith Messinger in 1993. Our mutual
interest in caring for wildlife was the fate that began our friendship.
As our friendship grew, I came to know her for the lady she truly was.
Now we come to celebrate her life. We’re not here to say good-by to
Edith Messinger because she is still with us in memory, and in what she
taught us during her time on this Earth. She inspired us by the way she
lived her life. Much like the nature she loved, we saw in her a balance
of nature, - Human nature! She was strong yet frail, humble yet proud,
knowing yet innocent. It was easy to see how much she loved her family,
and enjoyed the company of close friends. Her hands were the hands of a
caregiver, and her heart was one filled with compassion. This was
obvious from her life choices. She not only nursed people, but also
cared for animals who found their way into her healing hands, heart, and
home. Edith also loved her land and the nature of our Natural World.
In 1996 Edith Messinger and the Messinger
Family donated a beautiful parcel of land so that this community could
build a hospital designed to care for sick and injured wildlife, and
preserve the nature around us. This generosity exemplifies the type of
person that Edith was. Those teachings were obviously passed on to her
children and grand children. To know Edith, one could not help but feel
like one of her children, or part of her family. She had that special
way about her. It was very easy to like her and to love her. We won’t
say good-bye, because we will meet again someday.
Upon learning of her illness, and knowing that
her time left with us was short, we were saddened that she would not get
the chance to see the wildlife hospital completed. But as we thought
about it, it occurred to us that she will see it when it is complete.
She is still with us in nature. Her footsteps are still a part of the
land she loved, and she will be there in spirit and memory. I know that
if she could comment on our words right now, she would express herself
in her usual humble way. She would wave her hand to dispel any fanfare
or attention directed at her, while trying to hide from any possible
cameras. And on her face she would have that shy little smile.
That’s
OK Edith, you deserve the fanfare. We will all see you again someday.
Other Tributes to Edith
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