Edwina Doud

Edwina Butler Doud, 86, formerly of Bridgeport, CT, northeast PA, Wilmington, DE, East Brunswick, NJ, Merrimac, MA, and Colchester, VT, passed away January 1, 2013 at Danvers, MA following a decade long struggle with Alzheimer's Disease. She was born at her Bridgeport, CT home in a blizzard on February 5, 1926, as Edwina Valentina Butler, to James and Valentina (Finger) Butler. Edwina grew up in Bridgeport, was an excellent student, active in dance, gymnastics, and athletics, and was a baton twirler often marching and leading in the 4th of July Parade. She was once named Honorary Fire Chief of the City for one day! One of her favorite activities was spending time on the family boat on Long Island Sound. After graduating from Harding High School in 1943, she obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Physical Education in 1948 from Russell Sage College in Troy, New York. She began teaching the next year at Wyoming Seminary in Forty Fort, Pennsylvania. On St. Patrick's Day of 1950, she met Donald Hoyt Doud of Waverly, PA at a bike hosteling meeting he was hosting (he held a water fountain for her and asked her out on a date) and married him later that year in Montrose, PA. Don and "Eddie" taught for four years at Keystone Junior College in La Plume, PA (Don-Chemistry, Edwina-Physical Education) while obtaining their Masters Degrees at the University of Scranton in Guidance and Counseling. When Donald's new career with the DuPont Co. began in 1954, they moved to Wilmington, DE where Edwina taught and coached athletics at Alexis I. duPont High School. From 1956 to 1978, she dedicated her life to raising their three sons. Thereafter, she began a second career as a special education teacher within the Alfred I. DuPont Institute Lower School in Wilmington, where she remained until retirement in 2001. She was an avid tennis player and golfer at the DuPont Country Club and pursued many sports, gymnastics, and dance throughout her life. She bicycled almost daily into her mid-70's, and pedaled thousands of miles with Don during their 29 years of marriage. Edwina was very active in the Wilmington chapter of Russell Sage alumni, and volunteered in many YWCA, YMCA, St. John's Episcopal Church, PTA, and youth athletic activities. In retirement, Edwina lived with her children and their families, and finally at the Atrium care facility in Danvers, MA. Edwina was predeceased by her husband in 1980 and older brother James Butler in 2003. She will be missed by her three sons, their wives and children: Donald and Kathy, Daniel, Timothy, and Michael of Glenmoore, PA; James and Jodi, Jamie, and Stephanie of East Brunswick, NJ; and Thomas and Joyce, Joseph, Galen, and Braeden of Colchester, VT; her brother Thomas Butler and his wife Patricia of Groton, CT, two great-grandsons, and eight nephews and nieces. There will be no wake or funeral and private burial will take place in Connecticut at a later date. In accordance with her wishes, it is requested that in lieu of flowers, donations/contributions, or cards, those remembering her take the time, energy, and money usually dedicated to traditional expressions of sympathy and instead, use those resources to participate in a physical sporting activity with loved ones. Arrangements were handled by Mackey Funeral Home in Danvers, MA. On-line condolences can be sent to the family at www.mackeyfuneralhome.com
Resided in: Vermont
Viewing type: Private
Viewing date: 2013-01-01
Service type: Private
Burial type: Private

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