Edith Parker

Edith Parker was born in San Francisco in 1924 into a pioneering California family. Her forebears settled in the area from France and Germany in the 1850s, and were merchants and active members of the San Francisco Jewish community.

In her early years, she developed interests in dancing and cycling, which included a bicycle ride from Eugene, Oregon to Seattle at the age of 16. She graduated from George Washington High School in January, 1942. She later volunteered as a hostess for the American Theater Wing War Service at the Stage Door Canteen in San Francisco, and was employed as a toll collector on the ferryboat Berkeley and by the Weather Bureau of the U.S. in Paso Robles.

After her marriage in 1945 to Edwin M. Parker Jr., she relocated to La Mesa, California. She soon became involved with the First Methodist Church of La Mesa, and was baptized there on October 28, 1951. She made certain that her children had many opportunities for involvement in the community, and served as a leader in several church youth programs, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Camp Fire Girls.

Edith was very generous with her time, frequently performing volunteer work in her children's schools, for Planned Parenthood, for the KPBS Radio Reading Service, and as a counselor at Camp Cedar Glen in Julian. She served on many committees at her church, and was a valued member of the Board of Trustees.

She was a life-long learner, returning to college late in life to broaden her knowledge on many topics. Her interests included travel, sewing, needlepoint, reading, music, making stained glass and writing poetry. She published several volumes of her poems, donating the proceeds to fund camperships for needy youth.

Edith is survived by her children Edwin M. Parker III, Janet Shea and husband Arnie Shea, Jacqueline Lopez and husband Robert Lopez, and Jonathan Parker and wife Mary Earnest, as well as eight grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her loving husband Edwin and daughter-in-law Dee Parker.

Edith was well-loved in her community and church, and she will be truly missed.

Services will be held at La Mesa First United Methodist Church at 11:00 AM on Saturday, September 6.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Planned Parenthood or to the Campership Fund at LMFUMC, 4690 Palm Ave., La Mesa CA 91941.