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Edith Rachel Merritt Seville Schaeffer
Edith Rachel Merritt Seville Schaeffer
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Edith Schaeffer Obituary
Mrs. Edith Rachel Merritt Seville Schaeffer, born in Wenchow, China on November 3, 1914, died in her home in Gryon, Switzerland, the night of Good Friday to Holy Saturday March 29/30, 2013. Contrary to erroneous reports she had lived in her lovely chalet built in 1683 in Gryon for 13 years, where she longed to live and die, surrounded with the beloved witnesses of her rich life: her Steinway baby grand Piano, her dozens of paintings by her son Frank, her gorgeous antiques and linen drapes.
All these precious things surrounded her as she so hoped, on the night she talked with her son-in-law and pastor Udo Middelmann about the resurrection with fresh flowers next to her, watched a concert on BBC Four TV with delight, fell asleep and never woke on Holy Saturday. She will, we know, be raised as God promised, from her burial place next to her husband Francis Schaeffer in Rochester MN.
There will be a funeral service on April 19th at 2 pm, open to all, in Gryon, Switzerland, where she lived a full life for the last 13 years of her life. This will give her European friends a service to honor her and her 65 years of living mostly in Switzerland, followed by seventeen years in Rochester MN. During those years she rented an apartment by the Lake Leman in Vevey, Switzerland. The final thirteen years she returned to Gryon.
There will also be a funeral service in Minnesota at 1st Covenant Church of St. Paul, 1280 Arcade Street on April 25 at 11:45 AM. Everyone is heartily welcome.
After her husband's death in 1984 she became acquainted with Franz Mohr, piano voicer for Steinway in New York, and had the deep joy of knowing van Cliburn, Vladimir Horowitz, Rudolph Serkin and Peter Serkin, Christopher Parkening , Rostroprovitch, Yo Yo Mah and others. She wrote the book "Forever Music" and had a concert with the Guarneri Quartet at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center, NY to open the book. She continued during her last years going almost weekly to concerts, on numerous boat rides on the lake, traveling every year to Italy and often to NY.
We rejoice at her passion for life, her deep enjoyment of people whether Horowitz or a NY taxi driver, her close attention to detail, whether in sewing stunning clothes for herself, making flower arrangements, creating receptions in her home, her enjoyment of music, whether J.S. Bach or B.B. King, films, especially Woody Allen's, and indeed beauty in all its forms.
She will be sorely missed by even the youngest of our grandchildren, 2 - year old Seraphine, as she so enjoyed going to birthday parties, watching the children play, and even last year being pulled on a special wagon to take people in wheelchairs behind a miniature steam train by the her beloved lake in Switzerland together with a grandson of ours, Benjamin. She was a great sport!
"La chaim" until the Messiah comes, Mummy!
Deborah Middelmann-Schaeffer
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Lin Carnahan
December 13, 2020
Edith spoke at an Ozark Conference on Nehemiah. She told about the death of her dear Fran. What verse in Psalms did the LORD show her when she was feeling such a loss that communication with him was now severed?
Whatever Happened to the Human Race was the catalyst that got me involved in Pro-Life. I am GREATLY indebted to my life journey to their influence. Later I took a course on the works of Francis Schaeffer. I cried and cried when I heard your mother give the account of your father's passing.
Cristina Coates
April 10, 2014
In Remembrance of Edith Schaeffer at one year after her death.
Arthur Johnson
July 21, 2013
When I was a single college student in the latter 70's I had the unique experience of meeting Mrs. Schaeffer in
Philadelphia at Dr. Schaeffer and Franky's film series, "Whatever Happened to the Human Race?". She corrected me when I excitedly told her I wanted to meet a woman someday "just like her". She immediately corrected me and told me not to expect the women
to be like her. Edith said, "just let
her be herself". Words I never forgot during our 25 years and still current
marriage. Thank you Edith Schaeffer.
Missionary
May 7, 2013
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SUE BULL
May 5, 2013
HOW GREATFULL AM I FOR ALL I LEARNT FROM THIS WONDERFULL WOMAN OF GOD.ONLY GLORY WILL REVEAL THE LIVES SHE TOUCHED AND HELPED THROUGH HER WRITINGS. PRAISE BE TO GOD.
Nancy Maria
April 30, 2013
Remembering: Isaiah 50:10-11, and especially with what great ~love and ~carefulness and union with the Holy Spirit of Jesus, dear Edith, that you unfolded his warning truth and healing truths from these verses at the Old Orchard.
With joy in the resurrection!
"Grant us to partake of Thee more fully in the Unwaning Day of Thy kingdom!"
Handwriting
April 30, 2013
1970 Edith & Francis
April 30, 2013
April 30, 2013
Me looking up!
Mark Hessinger
April 27, 2013
Mrs. Schaeffer,
May I call you Edith? From all I've read, I'm sure that you would have insisted that I do so. We never met in this life, but I am confident that we will in the next. However, had I followed Blossom's advice after the twenty year old me began to follow Jesus, I'd have met you and your family in L'Abri back in 1977. However, I returned home instead back then to tell everyone in my family what God had done for me and to meet my future bride, Karen (whom I'm sure you would have loved like you loved so many people in your life, especially those who also, like you, loved Jesus), as well as to start a family of our own.
You should know that I read almost all of your books, and, somewhat surprisingly, none of the works of your kind and brilliant husband, Francis, whose ideas I find captivating but whose prose, unlike yours, I never seemed to enjoy. Interestingly also, I've read almost all the books of your son, Frank, who I think shares so much in common with you.
I consider that you were one of our Father God's masterpieces of what He intended a human being to be. Thank you for loving Jesus so intimately and inspiringly.
Love, Mark
Frankesha - Ardella Armstrong
April 21, 2013
It was an honor to get to know Mrs.Schaeffer. Thank you Edith and to her family, for the time we spent together.
" If you want me to play only the notes without any specific dynamics, I will never make a mistake. Never be afraid to dare." Vladimir Horowitz.
All my love Ardella
April 21, 2013
I will cherish my fond memory when we had a visit with you at your "Old Orchard" one afternoon two decades ago!
Your very unique picture-drawing signatures on your books remind me of your lovely character in God's sight.
You will be sorely missed, Edith!
Colleen and Rachel Itzen/de la Torre
April 20, 2013
We will miss Edith's voice messages sent to us over the years; each one always brightened our day. Edith was a talented, sophisticated lady who loved life-music, art. beautiful things, people, and our Lord. She was a wonderful model for so many people who loved her and for so many whose books influenced their lives in a positive way, including ours. Edith, you will be dearly missed! Love,
Colleen Itzen and Rachel de la Torre
April 19, 2013
Dear Debby and Udo,
I send my love and condolences to you and your family at the death of your dear mother Edith Schaeffer.
It was her book L'Abri and Dr Shaeffer's book Whatever Happened to the Human Race that drew me to come to L'Abri in the early 80's. I was so full of questions and troubled about life, faith , relationships, the value of human beings, medical ethics and how to follow God in such a broken world. It was in the context of the your home and the community that Dr and Mrs Schaeffer created you that I was able to explore, practise and come away with understanding that enriched my life as a person, Christian and nurse. These things have stayed with me.
I am deeply thankful to the Schaffers and to you for this opportunity and gift which I know was costly.
Mrs Shaeffer was amazing. She had so much energy and focus and put all her abilities into what she was doing creating a beautiful home, speaking to individuals and groups, writing trusting in God in the day by day of life.Yet she still had awareness of and sensitivity to those around her.
I remember how surpised I was to receive a note of encouragement and a little money to enable Naomi and I to take the boat back from Lausanne when we were visiting Mme Dardier while you were in Australia. This is the midst of her flying to the States the same day.
My thoughts are with you today in Gryon. I am so grateful to have known even in a small way your mother. She was a great blessing to me and many other.
Karenne Hartley
North Vancouver , BC CAnada
Aston Galanti
April 18, 2013
I did not know Edith, but heard about their tremendous work for God by Udo and Deborah. I am enjoying their publications given by Udo and Deborah. Will continue cherishing their service to the world, I am from the far southern part of warm Africa. Edith RIP.
April 17, 2013
RIP Mrs Schaeffer-you enriched many by the gifts you were given and used to their full extent-
The Salzman's
April 17, 2013
I didn't know Edith, but have quotes of hers in my FB profile. I plan to go on 4/25. I enjoyed reading books of theirs, especially L'Abri and will re-read again. God blessed their dedication and says, "Well done!" Praying God will lift you all up as you are in these busy days.
C. Coates
April 16, 2013
Remembering fondly our days together in NY, at Carnegie Hall, at Steinway, at the Chinese Church, at the European Cafe, at the Plaza enjoying music and hot cocoa... look forward to continuing the enjoyment of beauty together in glory!
April 16, 2013
I don't know Edith but enjoyed reading this lovely obit about her very full life. She would have been good to know!
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