Edith A. French

Edith A. French 1914 - 2009 SHEFFIELD Edith Augusta French, 94, peacefully entered her heavenly rest on Monday, June 22, 2009. Born on Aug. 1, 1914, in Ludlow, oldest child of farmers William Newton Wallace and Carrie Longfellow Childs Wallace, she attended elementary schools in Wilbraham, and Jr. High and Technical Sr. High in Springfield. She graduated from Westfield State (Teachers) College 74 years ago with a Bachelor of Sciend degree in Education; took the Scofield Reference Bible course from Moody Bible Institute in Chicago; did graduate studies at Columbia Bible College, Columbia, S.C., and Wheaton College, Wheaton, Ill; graduated from Child Evangelism Fellowship Leadership Training Institute, Grand Rapids, Mich.; and in her sixties, received a BA in Bible Studies from Berkshire College and an MA in Bible Studies from International Bible Institute and Seminary, Miami, Fla. Edith first taught high school math at Westervelt Home and School for Missionary Children, Columbia, S.C., then taught elementary grades in public schools inNew Marlborough, Montgomery, and Sheffield. She married Carlton Willcox French of Sheffield on April 17, 1941, in Huntington. As married women were not allowed to teach in public schools back then, she contented herself with testing in schools, teaching Sunday School at Old Parish Church, and leading 4H Clubs and Girl Scouts. Edith worked with Child Evangelism Fellowship for over 40 years, conducting teacher training classes and children's Good News Bible Clubs all over South Berkshire, being director for Berkshire County many years. She taught math at Starratt Memorial Christian School, Cheshire, for awhile. Ever the teacher, she continued serving CEF in "retirement" in her 80's as a children's correspondence course instructor. She was a former member of New England Keswick's Women's Auxiliary in Monterey and of Sheffield's Friendly Union, and was a current director of Sheffield Water Company. Edith was a founding member of Grace Bible Church (now Greenwoods Community), but currently was a member of Sheffield Chapel, where she had faithfully taught Sunday School, coordinated Children's Church and Vacation Bible School, and led the Mission's Committee. Through the years, the family had lived in three different houses in the center of Sheffield, and she was persuaded at the age of 90 to move back to the first house with Grace, John and Rob. From there she continued to reach out to many people via phone and mailings.She suffered a stroke the evening of June 13. She leaves a daughter, Grace Eastwood French Campbell and her husband, John Campbell, and a grandson, Robert James Campbell; two brothers, William Newton Wallace of Wilbraham and Theodore Longfellow Wallace of Camillus, N.Y.; three nieces, one nephew, several grand and great-grand nieces and nephews, and many wonderful cousins. and one cat, Sasha, taken in by the family last November. She was predeceased by Carlton, her husband of 57 years in 1998; by a son, Theodore Merrill French (Nov 16, 1946 - July 17, 1965); by a sister, Winifred Wallace Rice in 2004, and by a nephew, Wayne Newfield Rice in 2007, both of Wilbraham. FUNERAL NOTICE: The family invites everyone to join them for a graveside service on Thursday, July 2, 2009, at 10:15 a.m. at Sheffield Center Cemetery, followed by a memorial service and reception at 11 a.m. at Sheffield Chapel. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, July 1, 2009, from 4 until 6 p.m. at FINNERTY and STEVENS FUNERAL HOME in Great Barrington. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Sheffield Chapel or Sheffield Fire Dept Building Fund in care of Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230. Remembrances, memories and reflections may be sent to the family through www.finnertyandstevens.com