Elizabeth Edwards

Elizabeth Edwards was a woman who loved her family, who had been strengthened by adversity and who knew what hard work was all about. Her kindness, modesty and quiet strength made her someone that her family looked to for support.

Though the life saving antibiotic penicillin debuted in 1929, the year is better remembered for the stock market crash that sent America into the Great Depression. For the Seeback family of Detroit, Michigan, the year held another meaning. It was then that their daughter, Elizabeth, was born on October 29, 1929. She was one of nine children born to her parents, Alvin and Jennie (Hinton) Seeback. To support his large family, Alvin worked for Detroit Edison Power Company while Jennie was busy being a homemaker and caring for the children.

Elizabeth attended the area schools, however, she did not complete her education until later in life when she got her GED in her 50s. She was soon married to a wonderful man named Morgan “Slim” Edwards and they had seven children: Laura (who died of cancer in 2001), Anna, Howard (who tragically drowned in the Kalamazoo River in 1965), Nancy, Noel, Sallie and Troy (who also tragically died at the age of 2 after being dragged through a fence by a mule). The air in Detroit was full of the soot of industrialization, and it made breathing difficult for one of their children who had bad asthma. Hoping the clear air of rural Michigan would be beneficial for their child, the Edwards family settled in the Saugatuck area at 79 Washington Street, and Slim found work at Harris Pie Company.

Supportive and loving, Elizabeth was devoted to her family and whenever her children had concerns, she was always a great listener. She rarely gave her children advice, however, hoping they would learn their own lessons. Elizabeth and Slim were not real big church goers so on Sunday, while Slim worked, Elizabeth took the children fishing to her favorite fishing holes on the Kalamazoo River or a lake in Allegan. She was also Camp Fire Leader in her daughter’s troop. In 1974, she lost her beloved husband Slim who lived only five weeks after a serious car accident. This tragedy stirred something in Elizabeth’s heart and she soon started regularly attending the Saugatuck Christian Reformed Church. In 1988, Elizabeth moved to the Country Acres Trailer Park in Holland, where she has called home for the last 16 years.

Besides caring for her family, Elizabeth worked outside the home at the cannery in Fennville doing seasonal work. Later, she became a teacher’s aide in the Douglas Public Schools; however, the job she found most rewarding was as a bus driver for KANDU Industries, picking up handicapped and special people for work. She retired from Can Do in 1992. When not working, Elizabeth served on the board of DAV of Holland and was also an active lifetime member. In her leisure time, Elizabeth enjoyed playing pool in their basement and bingo. An avid bargain hunter, she loved to go garage sale hopping, perhaps to find a frog figurine or salt and pepper shakers to add to her prized collections. Elizabeth was always kept company by her two faithful cat companions, DJ and CT, whom she loved. In the kitchen, she was a great cook, especially when it came to her chicken and dumplings, which just fell off the spoon.

Although Elizabeth endured many tragedies in her lifetime, she emerged from these events a strong and compassionate person. She was there for her family at anytime, not because she had to be, but because she wanted to share fully in the lives of the people she loved. Her quiet strength and love will be remembered forever.

Elizabeth Edwards of Holland, MI, formerly of Saugatuck, MI, died on Friday, January 21, 2005, in a local nursing home. She was preceded in death by her sons, Howard and Troy Edwards, her husband, Morgan “Slim” Edwards and daughter, Laura Van Voorst. Elizabeth’s family includes her children: Anna Matz of Grand Rapid, MI, Nancy Edwards of VA, Noel (Sharon) Edwards of VA, and Sallie Edwards of Grand Haven, MI; 16 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren; brothers and sister: Alvin (Helen) Seeback of Allegan, MI, Mary Duren of Fennville, MI, Paul (Lou) Seeback of Detroit, MI, Micheal (Carol) Seeback of Detroit, MI, Jim (Mary) Seeback of Detroit, MI, and Bill (Ellen) Seeback of Detroit, MI; in-laws, Nancy (Melvin) Moore of NC; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, January 26, at Dykstra Life Story Funeral Homes, Saugatuck Chapel, 520 Lake Street, Saugatuck, Michigan, with Rev. David Van Der Wiele officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Saugatuck Cemetery. Friends may spend time with Elizabeth’s family on Tuesday, January 25, from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home. Please visit Elizabeth’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory, order flowers or make a memorial contribution to either the DAV of Holland or American Cancer Society.