Wilma J. Edwards

Wilma J. "Dody" Edwards
1921 ~ 2016
Our mother and the matriarch of Edwards Greenhouse, Wilma Josephine Edwards, 94, joined her waiting family and friends for coffee and conversation January 24, 2016.
Dody, as Mom was later nicknamed, was born September 16, 1921 on Andy Little's sheep ranch in Emmett, Idaho. This is where both her mother, Minnie and father, Gilbert worked. She was the youngest by many years in a family of four siblings: Mildred, Glenn, Irene and Alden. Mom enjoyed the many benefits of being the "baby" of the brood. The family moved from Emmett to River Street in Payette, Idaho where her parents farmed and father worked for the Cooperative Creamery. There she resided until graduating in 1939 from Payette High School. Mom was very proud of her hometown and made sure we, her daughters, visited often and shared her enthusiasm. We were convinced that our family car knew how to get there on its own.
Upon graduating, Mom went to Walla Walla, Washington to college, transferring to Lewiston Normal (now known as Lewis and Clark) the following year. She received an Associate's Degree in Elementary Education in 1942. After graduation and the start of WWII, our mother joined the war effort and moved to Long Beach, California to work at Douglas Aircraft Company as a riveter. She could have easily been Rockwell's model for "Rosie the Riveter" with her tied up red hair, coveralls and saddle shoes. Mom worked at Douglas until her sister, Mildred Genoway, wrote and asked if she would come home and help with the family flower shop. Thus began our mother's lifelong career as a designer and floral retailer. She never forgot her years in California and her wartime work.
During the time she worked for Sam and Mildred at Genoway's Payette Greenhouse, she met a handsome young greenhouse grower from Boise. He was delivering flowers on a weekly route. Paul and Dody soon became an item and she moved to Boise.
In a new town and new life, Mom went to work for Davies Floral and Greenhouse on Orchard Street. Later, Mom opened her own little shop at Edwards Greenhouse but was soon convinced that working for the premier floral shop in Boise was a better idea and joined the staff of Jimmy Jones Flowers on Main Street downtown.
Mom and Dad were married May 21, 1951 in Winnemucca, Nevada and very soon began having a family with Garnette Kay in 1952 and Cathy Jo in 1953. Mirroring her own parents, she had Christine Ann much later, in 1962. With a busy family life and growing business, our mother joined forces with our father at Edwards Greenhouse. Dad grew the flowers and Mom grew the list of customers that became friends and friends that became customers.
She never lost her creative desires and occasionally moonlighted with Milstead Floral and Payette Greenhouse. Often on holidays she would jump in the car with Cathy and me, head to Payette, and stand for hours designing while my sister and I would play at her feet.
Her love for flowers and family was only rivaled by her love of sports. She could "rattle" (her word, not ours) statistics like she was a sportscaster. She knew almost everything about the players, the coaches, the drama… you name it, she knew it. Mom loved her Mariners, even if they didn't win, and her Seahawks, but most of all she loved her BSU Broncos. Even during the end when she was the sickest, Mom wore those game clothes with pride.
So now is the most difficult part of this love letter about Dody. She was one of the most remarkable women we knew. We really loved her, and she loved us. If you were her friend you were a friend for a lifetime. If you were one of her employees you were part of her family. There are numerous "sons" and "daughters" of Edwards out there. She kept track of you, relished your success and grieved with your losses. Mom remembered the names of customers, what they ordered, and any special detail. After she retired we had to install a computer system to handle all of the information in Mom's memory. She checked birth notices and obituaries daily and rarely missed sending flowers in both instances. She was steadfast and fully engaged in her family beginning with children, then grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, their spouses, and their children. She never forgot birthdays, anniversaries or holidays. We swear she made up a few special occasions so we could get together for "sweets." Family was everything, whether you were related by blood or the number of years you worked at the greenhouse. So when Mom became homebound, her love was returned. My sisters and I have been overwhelmed by the love and attention she received. She had visitors nearly every day for 6 months: family around the clock, employees from Edwards spending the night, providing care and just loving her. She received phone calls, cards, and flowers. Lots of flowers. The love Mom gave returned to all of us many times during the difficult days.
Dody reluctantly leaves behind her daughters Garnette Edwards, Cathy Williams, husband Bill Christine Moore, husband Steve; grandchildren Emily Reid, Erin Monnie, significant other Matt Johnson, Elise Monnie, significant other Tate Valle, Katie Bohanna, husband Paul, Sarah Jordan, fiancée Tim Galusky, Adrienne Volkman, Josh Moore, and Everett Williams; and great-grandsons Graham & Anson Bohanna and Jaxson; much loved nieces and nephews, especially Joanne Hoppe; the employees of Edwards Greenhouse, dear neighbors and friends. Thank you to the skillful care and special attention provided by the five special women that watched over her and to Legacy Hospice. We would not have been able to keep her in the home she so loved without you.
Lastly, but definitely not least- our mother loved flowers and a good party. Her final wishes were to have flowers (lots of flowers, because, quoting Mom, "Florists have to eat too.") and a celebration of her life. Please wear no black, but lots of color, especially orange and blue.
For you that wish to donate in Dody's name, please send to the Idaho Botanical Gardens or the Women's and Children's Alliance. Services are scheduled February 15, 2016 at 4:00pm at Edwards Greenhouse. All are welcome.
Condolences may be left for the family at www.bowmanfuneral.com.