Edna Estelle Legary

Born September 2, 1928, in the Paxon area of Jacksonville, Edna graduated from Andrew Jackson High School in 1947, where she participated in the Junior Girls Club, Chorus, the Pepperettes, and was known as “Lassie”. She treasured those early friendships throughout her life,

Edna lived in Baker County for several years, and her working years were as varied as her interests. As a teenager, she was a “soda jerk” at a Jacksonville Rexall Drugstore. She later worked as a window dresser at Woolworths, at JCPenney, Swisher Cigars, and for many years at St. Luke’s/Mayo Hospital, where she remained until retirement. She spent her retirement years in Ponte Vedra Beach and as a member of THE PLAYERS Community Senior Center.

Service was woven throughout Edna’s life. She was an active member of the Riverside Chapter #218 Order of The Eastern Star and Khem Temple Daughters of the Nile, serving as President of the Patrol Unit for 19 years, and holding several appointed offices. Her Nile family affectionately knew her as the “Gong Lady.” Friends remember her as someone who could always be counted on, with a beautiful smile, a helping hand, and usually a little mischief and laughter.

Edna never learned to drive, but that certainly did not keep her from going places. She traveled to Italy, Alaska, the Bahamas, New York, Kentucky, Ohio, Georgia, and throughout the Southeast, and enjoyed many cruises.

She was also a gifted crocheter. Her handmade afghans became treasured possessions of family and friends, she crocheted hats for NICU babies at Baptist Hospital, scarfs for the homeless in Jacksonville Beach and Chattanooga, Tenn. Quietly generous throughout her life, Edna supported organizations including Shriners Hospitals, the Developmental Learning Center, the Salvation Army, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the March of Dimes, River Rock Missions and many more.

Above all, Edna loved her family. She is survived by her children, Marie (Dorman) Jones (James), Gloria (Dorman) Rohletter (Tom), Jerry Dorman, Jr. (Janice), and Trish (Dorman) Nickhah; 9 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and 18 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Diane Rohletter; brother, John Burbage; and parents, S. Joseph Laseter and Edna Cline.

Edna leaves behind something impossible to measure; generations of family, countless friendships, handmade treasures, years of service, and the memory of a smile that truly lit up every room.

Service Information:

Visitation will be Friday, August 28, at Hardage-Giddens Greenlawn Funeral Home and Cemetery, 4300 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207 from 6–8 p.m.

Her Celebration of Life will be Saturday, August 29, at 11 a.m., at River Rock Church, 465 Palm Valley Road, Ponte Vedra, FL, 32081 followed by a reception at the church.