December 7, 2010
Elizabeth Anania Edwards, mother, author, advocate died today at her home in Chapel Hill, surrounded by her family.
Today we have lost the comfort of Elizabeth’s presence but she remains the heart of this family. We love her and will never know anyone more inspiring or full of life.
On behalf of Elizabeth we want to express our gratitude to the thousands of kindred spirits who moved and inspired her along the way. Your support and prayers touched our entire family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wade Edwards Foundation which benefits the Wade Edwards Learning Lab at www.wade.org.
My deepest sympathies go out to John and the family. Elizabeth was a shining example of the force for good and righteousness in this world. She will continue to be well into the future.
We are all weak; we all stumble. We also ask for God’s strength to get back up and persevere in our trials. This we will do.
John, you are still my hero. When I met you in Iowa on the campaign trail, you were gracious and sympathetic. Now it is my turn to repay the favor. My God continue to guide us an a path of goodness and justice. We will be all right.
Take good care, my friends. I will always be with you.
Terry Miles
Sutherland, Iowa
To Elizabeth’s children:
Your mother was an inspiration to my life and my family, we join you today in your mourning for such a wonderful woman. God is smiling to have her in His arms, God Bless you, I will continue to pray for all of you.
Cate spoke beautifully about her mother at her funeral. She’s a shining tribute to her mother’s life.
I loved Elizabeth and will always remember her as being a real person. When I read her book, Saving Graces, I felt as though I was reading about an old friend. My sister died an early death because of a lack of health insurance. Elizabeth was a champion for health care for all. It meant a lot to me. I will always remember Elizabeth as a woman of virtue that stayed true to her heart and her family. Rest in the peace of God’s hands dear sweet Elizabeth and God bless your family with the His loving touch.
My heartfelt condolences are extended to the family – especially her children – of Elizabeth Edwards. May she rest in the sweet arms of Jesus, as she awaits the call on that Great Day. Be comforted by the thought that a Loving God knows best.
To the family of Elizabeth Edwards,
She was a wonderful woman of strength and grace. She was an inspiration to all that are fighting the fight against cancer. She has inspired me not to give up hope, faith and lastly my will. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and the entire Edwards family.
I have admired Elizabeth Edwards for years; and prayed she wouldn’t struggle with this nasty disease as my own Mother who loved her kids as Elizabeth did…unconditionally and more than life itself. May we all learn from her great strength in times of trouble and may John pull from the depths of his being to be the father these kids all need, including Cate. Being 28 does not mean she doesn’t still need/want her Mom.
Peace be with you Elizabeth…..
my heart goes out to the family, i hope if i am faced with a tragedy, i will have the dignity and the grace to handle it, as elizabeth has done.
god bless you elizabeth, u will always be in my heart.
i am a 15year breast cancer survivor.mine was caught early and now i am cancer free. when i heard about the passing of mrs. edwards my heart dropped. what an angel who was taken too soon. i have a 18year old daughter and i will teach her how to proform the self-breast exam.although cancer didn’t run in my family,i will tell friends and neighbors and my family to make sure that they examine their breast every month and if you don’t know how,please ask your doctor so he,or she can show you. it is so important that we take action for our health. god bless the edwards family,you will always be in my heart.
Elizabeth was indeed a woman who demonstrated a wealth of grace and dignity as she fought a brave fight with cancer, and as she held her family together in the face of misfortune. While we no longer know the comfort of her presence, I am happy that she and Wade are joyfully reunited in that great place that awaits us all as believers one day.
I never got to know Elizabeth personally, but I feel as if I had through her countless interviews and public appearances. Thank you Cate for pouring your heart and soul during the beautiful eulogy of your beloved mom.
To Cate, Emma Claire and Jack – may you forever carry her precious memory in your hearts, and as you go through the years ahead. The Lord bless you and keep you.
With deepest sympathies to the Edwards Family in the loss of your beloved Elizabeth. May you find comfort in the wonderful example she set as a wife, mother, lawyer, public servant, and all around beautiful human being. Peace to you all.
I met Elizabeth at a labor day rally in Pittsburgh a few years ago.
I remember telling her that she had been a source of inspiration and strength for me during my own breast cancer treatments (I was diagnosed almost a year after the 2004 election and had watched the strength and grace of Elizabeth’s public battle with the disease).
She quickly replied without pause or without missing a beat, “How are you now?”
I answered, “I’m well”, which she seemed happy to hear, as she continued meeting and greeting the crowd.
I’ll never forget that moment, and how authentically concerned Elizabeth was–even with a complete stranger.
This week, I was deeply saddened to hear of her passing, for she taught us all courage in the face of adversity. I am certain that she has touched and inspired many more lives than she probably knows.
In this difficult time, may Elizabeth and her family feel the peace and the love that she brought to so many.
Thank you, Elizabeth, for all that you have given.
John, Cate, Emma Claire, Jack -
Elizabeth was one of the nicest,
most down-to-earth people I’ve
ever had the privilege and honor
of getting to know.
I served as a member of several
advance/security teams assigned
to John Kerry (and also to you,
John) during the Kerry/Edwards
campaign in 2004 – and I’ve got a
lot of good memories of the time
I spent with all of you on the
campaign trail.
My mom had a chance to meet Elizabeth
at an event in Nashua NH in 2004 during
the general election cycle – and she
still remembers the huge ‘bear hug’ that
Elizabeth gave her when I introduced
them to each other.
Elizabeth will be dearly missed by all
of us who knew her.
I hope that God has welcomed her into
the next world with open arms and an
open heart, and that she is with the
family and friends who left this world
ahead of her.
May Elizabeth rest in peace eternal,
and may the many good memories of
the time you had with her be of at
least some small comfort in this time
of mourning.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey Dumond
Elizabeth Edwards showed us all how to live life with dignity and grace in the face of trials that would have broken a lesser person. Even if I didn’t know her personally, I am honored to be able to share this world with her. For this amazing woman, there is no goodbye, only admiration and gratitude.
Elizabeth, you are an angel. you lived life with passion ,dignity, and love. I admire you immensely for the woman you were. God bless you and your family. Thank you for all you have given the women of America, I truly admire you and always will. You will always be in my thoughts!!!
May God bless this family with his loving arms and give you comfort. I for one would love to let you know that your mother and wife gave a me pride to be a person who is a american. God Bless You, Brent A. Ferra
may her soul rest in perfect peace,is great lost to we all,may her sould continue to lives,may our lord guide the kids forver.
My thoughts go to the Edwards family. Elizabeth will surely be missed by not only her family and friends but, by all of us who never knew her but was inspired and touched by her courage and hope.
To The Edwards Children~ Your mothers Southern grace, charm and compassion have touched me deeply. Our God is gracious and understanding. He knew that all of you were as prepared as she could make you for this event. I take comfort in knowing that she is with Him and her beloved Wade. Although she can no longer hold your hands, she is again at peace with her son. I pray that she heard our Lord say “well done, good and faithful servant!”
May all of you continue to shine in her light and live your lives in the example she set for all of you.
Many blessings to all of you~ Katie