Edna Martin Garfinkle
"I am the sun
Without me you could not live
I'll guide you from above
Such bright posey I will give"
Edna Martin, 4th Grade
Edna Martin Garfinkle started every day singing and dancing to Singing in the Rain's "Good Morning, Good Morning!" On March 28th she moved on to sing and dance with her loved ones who died before her. A very bright ray of sunshine has left our lives.
Edna was born and raised at 649 Miller Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, later moving onto Flatbush Avenue. Her Papa was a milliner, Mama was a homemaker. Edna was the youngest of siblings Ben, Ruby and Dora. Though growing up during the Depression, Mama always saw to it that Edna had enough to eat.
Harvey Garfinkle's sister Phyllis introduced them, just after his return from serving in WWII. A few years later at Phyllis' wedding, Harvey noticed Edna and said, "Green eyes, do you want to dance?" After a four-week courtship Harvey proposed. They were married on February 22, 1952, in the home of Edna's parents as Papa came down with the grip. Over the following six years son Gene and daughter Helen were born and the family moved to Rockaway Beach, Queens, NY. Also part of the immediate family were Dora and Aida. They were second parents to the children and constant big sisters to Edna, always telling her what to do.
Edna and Harvey moved to Ft. Lee, NJ in 1976, now empty nesters. Edna began several happy, fulfilling years working with the diverse staff and patrons of the New York City Council of the Arts. She was diligent, dependable, and loved her new-found career.
Grandson Ari, born in 1995, was the light of Edna and Harvey's lives. Dora and Aida also took an active role as grandparents. Edna, especially, made several visits to California to be with Ari. In 2003 Edna and Havey moved cross-country to Walnut Creek, CA to be close with their children and grandson. Edna's passions were classical music, dogs, reading, Ari, and making chicken soup. Chicken soup and dog loving intersected occasionally when Edna would spend three days making soup for the dogs, before going out of town. Edna's biggest concern was that the dogs would be fed kibble while the kennel staff ate the soup.
Edna and Harvey loved deeply for 60 years. Sadly, Harvey passed away in 2010. Though Edna never stopped grieving for Harvey, she didn't miss a beat singing and dancing for another 14 years. She maintained an active social life with an ever-growing circle of friends at her apartment complex and the dog park around the block. She even was propositioned a few times in those years, but her heart remained true to Harvey. Edna would do anything for her kids, grandson, dogs, and anyone whom she loved.
Edna's final move was two years ago, into the caring embrace of Helen and Electra on Guido Street in Oakland, CA. She was always surrounded by family, friends, music, dogs and love. And her voracious appetite remained strong.
Those with the deepest holes in their hearts are daughters Helen and Electra, Gene and Peggy, Ari, "adopted" daughters Lynn, Karen and Matti, and grand dogs Rugby and Toby. Also mourning Edna's absence are all her friends and family in the Bay Area and around the country.
EVERYONE loved Edna.
In honor and memory of Edna, a donation to the San Francisco SPCA would be most appreciated. www.sfspca.org <http://www.sfspca.org>