Edith Thomas McNamee

By | December 11, 2012

Edith Thomas McNamee, 104, died Nov. 29, 2012. A long-time member of First Community Church of Buckeye Lake, Edith was born in Oak Hill, Ohio in May of 1908. She attended Rio Grande College, Ohio University and the Ohio State University. Edith taught third grade for eight years in her hometown before marrying and moving to Columbus. She moved permanently to Buckeye Lake in 1982.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry Thomas and Sarah Mary (Mayme) Davis; husband of 57 years, Dr. Edwin McNamee; three sisters and a brother.

She is survived by daughters, Mary Jo (Don) Athearn of Gainesville, Florida and Sandra Kay (Tom) Cunningham of Alexandria, Ohio; seven grandchildren, Kimberly (Lee) Grisham, Lynette (Dan) Callahan, Crystal (Len) Bland, Brandi (Dwayne) Maxie, Paul (Kathy) Cunningham, Patrick Cunningham and Cassie Cunningham; nine great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.

Edith was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend to many. She was a life-time member of the Oak Hill Chapter of Eastern Star (80-year pin), and a member and past president of the Hilltop Kiwanikwe. She was active in the Girl Scouts, Hilltop Business Association, The Oak Hill Presbyterian, Glenwood Methodist and Buckeye Lake Community churches.

Edith’s ties to Oak Hill were extensive. Her family owned and operated the Liberty Theatre for many years before it became the Youth Center. Her brother Lowell was a bank officer and he and his wife Verda owned the local ice cream shop for years.

Edith will be remembered for her humor, wit, compassion and caring personality. She could silence you immediately with her sideways glare that implied “you don’t really expect me to believe that, do you?”, or clearly indicate approval with just a smile. She helped many family members, friends and her church both emotionally and financially when she saw the need. And that was often and freely. She will be dearly missed by all that were privileged to know her.

Viewing hours will be Wednesday, December 12 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Hoskinson Funeral Home in Kirkersville, Ohio. A celebration of Edith’s life will held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, December 13 at the funeral home. Interment will be at 3 p.m. at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Oak Hill, Ohio.

A special and grateful thanks to the wonderful staff at Tuscany Gardens for their loving care, support and gifts of friendship to Edith and her family. Sincere appreciation to her wonderful neighbors, Carl and Judy Reed and Gert Hoy for their devoted friendship over the years.

Memorial contributions in Edith’s name may be made to the First Community Church of Buckeye Lake, 4381 Walnut Road SE, Buckeye Lake, OH 43008. Hoskinson Funeral & Cremation Service, Kirkersville, is honored to care for the McNamee family.