Edith Scott Howard, beloved wife of Charles Bion Howard, passed away peacefully on June 29, 2016 at the University Medical Center of Princeton surrounded by her family. She was born Edith Joanne Scott, December 16th 1943 to David Henry Scott and Joanne Waite Scott in Richmond, VA. She is predeceased by her parents and her brother.
Edith was raised in Wenham, MA and her life path paralleled that of her devoted husband starting in the 1st grade. They eventually met in the high school band and dated throughout their college years. They were married in Wenham August 28th, 1965, just prior to her husband’s entrance into medical school. She is survived by her four children: Timothy, Alan, Julie and Laura as well as nine grandchildren: Sara, Kyle and Erin Howard; Kamala, Gyana and Mira Roberts and; Tessa, Kira and Asher Leduc as well as seven of her eight siblings.
Edie’s life was a testament to love. Her greatest joy was her family. She loved her children and her grandchildren whole-heartedly and shared her ability to nurture with many who needed a compass to weather a storm. She taught many how to mother and many more how to love just by being herself.
When not busy with her children and grandchildren, Edie donated her time and resources to the community. She was a musician who played the flute and piccolo throughout her life. She and her husband were members of the Blawenburg band and even played a concert together just a few weeks before her death. She was a Master Gardener and a talented artist.
Edie was diagnosed with endometrial cancer in March 2015. While her physical body succumbed to the disease, her spirit never wavered. Throughout her treatment, she spread a message of kindness, caring and hope. She created a “Rainbow Circle” to share with people her thoughts and experiences throughout her journey living with cancer.
She connected with the natural world throughout her life and upon moving to NJ in 1974, she found the farm in Belle Mead. It was the place where her children, her garden and her spirit thrived. She walked the field hand in hand with her husband throughout her life and most importantly during her cancer treatment. Because this connection was so important to her well-being she worked with D&R Greenway of Princeton to preserve this legacy. The next project she intended was to create a space for wellbeing for women with cancer at the D&R Greenway facility in Princeton, NJ.
Edith’s family will host a Memorial Gathering for friends at Cherry Valley Country Club, 125 Country Club Drive, Skillman, NJ 08558, on Thursday, July 7, 2016 from 5:30-8:30pm. A Celebration of Life will be held at St. Charles Borromeo RC Church, 47 Skillman Rd, Skillman, NJ 08558 on Friday, July 8, 2016 at Noon with a reception immediately following at Cherry Valley Country Club. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent in support of the Edie’s Rainbow Circle: D&R Greenway Land Trust, One Preservation Place, Princeton NJ 08540 or online at www.drgreenway.org. Please be sure to write “in memory of Edie Howard”.
