Edith Victoria Root

Edith Victoria Root

On August 30, 2017, Edith Victoria Root peacefully entered her eternal home, surrounded by family and friends in her Seattle residence. She was 88.

Edith was born November 10, 1928, to Herbert K. and Clara (Eckmann) Biddulph of Compton, California. She joined four older half siblings and was the first of three girls in the younger set. By age four Edith learned to read, which sparked her lifelong passion for books. She eventually skipped ahead two years in school and later attended Los Angeles Pacific College, before graduating from Seattle Pacific College in June 1949.

On August 13, 1949, Edith married Leonard Clarke Root, of whom she often said, "I could always count on him; he never let me down!" Edith's lifelong love of learning influenced her two children, Janet Eileen and Daniel Allen, and the thousands of students she guided as teacher and school librarian in the Tukwila School District. She was an active member of the Delta Kappa Gamma International Society.

The faithfulness, respect, and loving admiration exemplified in Edith and Leonard's marriage were an inspiration to many couples and families in the Rainier Avenue Church, where for 65 years the couple served Jesus with that ever-changing congregational family.

Edith was deeply grieved by the injustices in our world; her response was committed prayer and generous kindness. She loved sharing her gift of hospitality.

As her earthly life drew to a close, Edith spoke many times of her love for Jesus, God's faithfulness, and her gratefulness to the Lord for her life and the support of family and friends. "I have no regrets," she said often, reflecting on the words of Ephesians 3 in the Message paraphrase of the Bible that calls us into: "..... the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God."

Edith is survived by her beloved husband, Leonard; her children, Janet and Dan (Jenny); grandchildren, Jonathan, Anthony, and Hannah Root; great-granddaughter, Naomi; her sisters, Sylvia (Ed) Barry and Lois (Jim) Ogan; and countless other loving friends and family members.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to the Rainier Avenue Church, 5900 Rainier Ave. So., Seattle, WA, 98118. Include "Edith Root Memorial" in the memo line. Gifts to this fund, which supports work in Southeast Asia, can also be made online at www.rainieravenuechurch.org.