Edi M Meadows

June 1947 - February 2022

It is with profound sadness that her family announces the passing of Edith (“Edi”) Meadows McLeod, aged 74, on February 27, 2022. Edi was born on June 8, 1947 in New York City, NY; the first child of Edith and Armando Villa. In her young years Edi attended the Ascension School in Upper Manhattan prior to her family’s relocation to Miami, where she graduated from Southwest Miami Senior High School, followed by Miami-Dade College, where she earned an associate degree in Nursing, and then Jackson Memorial Hospital School of Nursing. With her R.N. accreditation in hand Edi launched a business career that spanned healthcare, chartable fundraising, travel & tourism, and a nascent global cruise vacation industry. Along her energetic pathway, she married and had three dearly loved children.

Edi’s career began as a shift nurse in the well-regarded Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Miami’s Jackson Memorial Hospital; her nursing skills…and people skills...were soon recognized, prompting her advancement to Clinical Educator, working to improve the skills of “Jackson’s” RN’s. Along that pathway Edi’s talents as a “friend-raiser & fundraiser” were recognized when she was appointed as the founding Executive Director for “Ronald McDonald Charities of South Florida”. Edi’s successful fundraising efforts spearheaded the construction of the Ronald McDonald House on the JMH campus; a facility that every day...to this day...provides comfort and shelter, at no cost, to the families of children receiving treatment at JMH.

Edi’s fundraising initiatives on behalf of Ronald McDonald House brought her visibility throughout the South Florida business community and prompted a career transition from healthcare to the travel & tourism industry with her appointment as Director of National Accounts for Carnival Cruise Line. Her cruise and travel industry career also included sales and marketing positions with Carnival Hotels & Resorts, Holland America Line, and Vacation.com.

At each step along her pathway Edi made friends who became a part of her life; some of those friendships were as new as last year, but many spanned decades beginning with her high school years. Some were co-workers and colleagues. Some were neighbors. Some were those who shared her passions for gardening, for growing orchids, for cooking and, most recently, bread baking. And many were drawn from her love for all things American and especially her involvement with the Seminole County Republican Women’s Club where she filled the role of “Sunshine Lady”. In 2020 she was elected the Precinct #23 Republican Committeewoman.

Edi is survived by her husband, Rod McLeod; her three children Kimberly Meadows Roberts, Andrew B. Meadows, and Donald A. Meadows; son-in-law Christopher Roberts, and daughter-in-law Kimberly P. Meadows; and two grandchildren who called her “Grammy”. Additionally, she is survived by her two sisters: Fran (Ted) McClure and Elley (Dave) Masel. Edi was also embraced by her husband’s family, especially his five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, who called her “Mimi”.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 5 pm on April 15, 2022 at Harry P. Leu Gardens, with visitation with family beginning at 4 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.