Edwina was born in Manhattan in 1926 to Rosaline and Edward Irving. She was the second of three children. During the Depression, Edwina and her older sister were sent to live in Nassau, the Bahamas, with their maternal grandmother. She enjoyed her childhood in Nassau, and who could blame her!
She and her sister returned to New York when she was about ten years old. She later graduated from Wadleigh High School. In 1947, she married Charles Culmer Jr. They made their home in Manhattan, where they raised two daughters – Beverly and Carol.
Edwina was employed by the City of New York for most of her career. She began at Bellevue Hospital, and later held clerical and supervisory positions with the Food Stamps program. Edwina retired in 1992.
Edwina moved to Queens, NY in 1975. Edwina joined the Church of the Resurrection, and was quickly engaged in the activities of the Chapel League. She worked with this group for many years, and was an active participant in their fundraising activities.
Edwina was a member of the Guiding Light Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star for over twenty-five years. She served as the matron of the chapter for ten years.
Edwina loved to travel, and visited many countries including Spain, China, Italy, France, and Australia. She especially loved Hawaii.
In 2018 Edwina moved to Durham, NC to be near her daughter Carol.
Edwina is predeceased by her husband Charles, brother Edward Irving, and grandsons Charles Culmer and Felix Culmer.
She is survived by sister Mae Rivers (Columbia, SC), daughter Beverly Bennett (New York, NY), daughter Carol Crosby (Cary, NC), two granddaughters, eight great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held 2:00 PM Monday, January 25, 2021 at Wake Memorial Park in Cary.
Online condolences may be made at www.BrownWynneCary.com
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