Edna V. Blyda

The "Original Martha Stewart" as she was affectionately known by her family, Edna Victoria Blyda, 98, of Keene, NH, died peacefully on Sunday, March 18th at her home in Keene, surrounded by her loving family and caregivers.

She was born in Chicopee, MA on July 14, 1919, the daughter of Tomaz and Victoria (Kagan) Michonski. Edna grew up in Chicopee and was a graduate of Chicopee High School. One of five sisters and one brother, they were a very close family, and family was everything to them.

Prior to her marriage, she worked at the family business, the former White Eagle Bottling Company in Chicopee Falls. After working for the family business and her sister Mary Ann's beauty shop as business manager, Edna had to be the family caregiver, taking care of the family for her mother who had a lengthy illness.

Edna married the love of her life, Edward Blyda, on March 31, 1951 and 2 years later, their only child, Barbara, was born. Edward passed away on June 25, 2017 after 67 years of marriage.

Edna was a great gourmet cook and a very elegant hostess, entertaining big family gatherings. Her attention to detail was evident in her flair for interior design and for having great taste. It was these traits which affectionately earned her the nickname of the "Original Martha Stewart".

Edna and Ed loved traveling to Cape Cod, Florida and other warm weather destinations. Concerts and picnics with the Boston Symphony was a favorite they shared. She and Ed loved watching the Boston Red Sox – that was their first date, to see a game.

Edna was a member of St Stanislaus Church in Chicopee, and also a member of the Chicopee Womens Club. Edna was also an avid golfer later in life with her gal pals.

In 2006, Edna and Ed moved to Keene to be closer to their daughter, Barbara Coburn and son-in-law, Ron, where they enjoyed many outings with family and friends on Spofford Lake.

Edna will be greatly missed by all who knew her as a loving mother, wife, mother-in-law and friend, especially her daughter Barbara Coburn and her son-in-law, Ron; and nieces and nephews, Timothy Crimmins Jr., Kenneth Crimmins, Edward Crimmins, Victoria Crimmins Gonzalez, David Guzek, Donald Guzek and Thomas Kozik.

Edna is also thankful for all the wonderful caregivers in the last few years: Sheila Bowers, Susan Hugel, Tonya White, Deborah Miller, Olga Magicheva, Alice Blanchard, Sherri McGuirk, Elizabeth Kurowski, Sumer Ammann, Debra Philbrook, Joy Kempton and Karen Coleman, who all, affectionately called her "Miss Edna".

A funeral service will be held on Friday, March 23, 2018 at 10:00AM in the Foley Funeral Home, 49 Court Street, Keene. Burial will follow at 12:30PM in St. Mary Cemetery, 235 North Elm Street, Northampton, MA. Family and friends are invited to call on Thursday evening from 5:00PM to 8:00PM at the Foley Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mrs. Blyda's memory to the Childhood Cancer Lifeline, PO Box 395, Hillsborough, NH 03244.