Gail Heather Ednie, 45
Gail Heather Ednie, 45, died at her home in Boonville, Calif., on Aug. 3, 2006. She was surrounded by 10 members of her close and extended family at the time of her death. Although sad, her passing came as a welcome resolution to her heartfelt six-year fight against ovarian cancer.
Gail was born on Guam, Mariana Islands, on Jan. 16, 1961, at the fifth child of the seven-child family of Thomas and Natalie Ednie. She attended elementary and secondary schools in Texas, California and Washington state.
She later attended Sonoma State University in California as a student-at-large, graduating cum laude in 1992. She also attained a master's degree in education from Heritage College in Toppenish, Wash., in 1998.
She worked for three years as a social worker for Goodwill Industries in St. Maries and Sandpoint, Idaho, with a special calling to help lives touched by violence, neglect, drug abuse and mental illness. During her remission from cancer, she served the Pomo Indian community at Coyote Valley, Calif., developing a recovery-modeled Red Path program for young people living on their reservation.
Gail was a gifted ceramic artist who lived a rotund and spirited life, balancing her work, her art and her heart — which was poured into her pride and joy, son Thomas Buck Americus Ednie (aka Buck or Mack), now 11 years old.
She was a caregiver by nature, always wanting to do whatever she could to help those she felt were in need, following her heart, with little regard for what it might take from her. During the years and final months of her illness, her small town and friends from far away and long ago returned to her the love and care she had given.
She touched many lives. She will be greatly missed.
Gail is survived by her parents, Tom and Natalie Ednie of Sandpoint, Idaho; her six siblings, David and Adam (Linda) of Sandpoint, Bruce of Connecticut and recently of Sandpoint, Lorna Ross of California, Rebecca Titus of Missoula, Mont., and Lucy of Butte, Mont; her son, Buck (aka Mack), who is now living with his uncle and aunt, Adam and Linda Ednie; and by 11 nieces and nephews whom she adored.
Gail is preceded in death by her grandmothers, Beryl Allen and Mary Ednie, whom she cared for in their later years.
A memorial to her life was held on Aug. 8, 2006, on her patio with extraordinary food, music and flowers supplied mostly by local friends. A family service will be held at a future time when her ashes will e scattered by her son.
Donations may be made in her memory to Heather's House, Sandpoint Cancer Center; to a special account for her son in the name of Thomas Buck Ednie, at Horizon Credit Union, 520 North Fifth Ave., Sandpoint, ID 83864; or to a charity of the donor's choice.