Edna Woodard-Van Riper

Edna L. Woodard Van - Riper was born December 4,1922 in Frankfort, Kentucky. She attended the University of Kentucky where she met and married Walter Ruby and moved to Madisonville, Kentucky. Edna and the children then moved to Indianapolis, where she put down local roots as she worked for LS. Ayers ending up as an Ayers girl model. Shortly thereafter, Edna married Harold R. Woodard and raised three children; Walter Ruby, Turner and Laurel Woodard. Edna attended the Chicago School of Design and Floral Decorating; later setting up her own small business called "Arrangements by E.L. Woodard" and spent many happy years designing floral arrangements and details for weddings and parties for family and friends. Edna later married Guernsey Van Riper and for more than 60 years of her life she enjoyed her home on Kessler Boulevard tending to her gardens and her dogs. Edna loved and was very active with the Indianapolis Garden Club of America where she served as its president, judging horticultural and flower arranging competitions and receiving the Indianapolis Garden Club Medal of Merit. Secondly, another of Edna's passions was helping and serving on the Board of Directors for Indiana Landmarks. While helping with the Indiana preservation movement, and with her role in the Indianapolis Garden Club, she was awarded a certificate of merit from Mayor Hudnut for their efforts in helping preserve the downtown Lockerbie neighborhood. Furthermore, Edna helped and served with the Christamore House of Indianapolis as well as serving on the decorating committee for the Oldfields Estate at the IMA. Likewise Edna was honored to receive the distinguished Woman Award from the Northwood Institute. Edna loved and participated in her many clubs for years which included The Woodstock Club, The Twirlers Club, and The Dramatic Club and as of late, the Costco Club! Edna is survived by her son Turner JR Woodard and wife Diann White Woodard and their three children, Taylor Woodard, Turner John Woodard and Whitney White Woodard; Bud Ruby, Mary Ruby, Nan Ruby and Laura Ruby and now her great granddaughter Rivington O'Neil Statman. A Private family funeral will be held, flowers will always be enjoyed but a donation to the Garden Club of Indianapolis or the Indiana Landmark Foundation of Indianapolis would be appreciated!