Edith Woodruff Kunhardt
1932 - 2022
Edith Woodruff Kunhardt
1932 - 2022
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Edith Kunhardt Obituary
Edie was born in Neuilly, France to her parents Emily Coolidge Woodruff and Harry Adsit Woodruff. Edie attended the Brearley School and Garrison Forest School, followed by two years at Bryn Mawr College. In 1952 she took a pause to marry Kenneth B. Kunhardt, Sr. and they started a family. After the marriage ended, Edie graduated from Sarah Lawrence College in 1977 and started her career as a second-grade teacher at the Chapin School in New York, NY. As a teacher, Edie touched the lives of scores of young girls for two decades, and her students adored her lively and humorous personality.
After retirement, Edie enjoyed travelling the world with her friends, children, and grandchildren, exercising her artistic eye with photography, particularly with the interest of observing the cultures of others. She enjoyed kayaking, picking blueberries and listening to loons at her beloved Squam Lake, as well as humming to classical music while tending to her flower garden in France. Fluent in French, Edie was a lifelong Francophile and full of joie de vivre.
Edie is survived by her four children, Kenneth Kunhardt, Jr. and his wife, Denise; Linda Kunhardt; Christopher Kunhardt; and Timothy Kunhardt and his wife, Jane; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Edie, or endearingly known as Mummy, Grand-Mummy, and Gahmy, was fiercely dedicated to her friends and family and lived her life as such. Independent, strong, and brave, Edie nurtured her homes which in turn fostered a very close-knit family. Edie’s zest was an amazing force, and her love of life and strong convictions left a lasting impression on all who knew and loved her.
A service in Edie’s memory will be offered at St. Matthew’s Church in Bedford, NY on Friday April 8, 2022, at 1:00 p.m., You are invited to share memories of Edie in an online guest book at www.clarkassociatesfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Squam Lakes Association in Holderness, NH. http://www.squamlakes.org/
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Serena Boardman
September 7, 2022
Dear Kunhardt Family,
Please accept my sincerest condolences for your loss.
Mrs. Kunhardt was my second grade teacher from 1977 to 1978 at Chapin and she was just marvelous. Literally a ray of sunshine and always brimming with kindness, enthusiasm, encouragement, warmth and fun; all of my classmates knew that we were the lucky ones to be in Mrs. Kunhardt´s class.
I had just entered Chapin the year before, having moved from London, and the transition had been a little rocky given my English accent and habits. But after a few months with Mrs. Kunhardt I started to love school again and to settle.
Mrs. Kunhardt was not only a superb teacher and started me reading for pleasure, but she truly brought joy to her students. And I will always remember her surprising us with a visit from a litter of kittens that her kitty had produced. I think it was the highlight of my year. They were darling and she was so lovely to share them with us and help to instill in me a lifelong love of animals. I also remember her orchestrating a Winnie the Pooh Play where I was cast as Eyore the donkey, and I think Mrs. Kunhardt had handmade all of the adorable costumes. We also had lots of spelling bee´s and plenty of good times at Recess playing on the roof or in the multi purpose room (now the Gordon Room).
I am only sorry not to have reconnected with Mrs. Kunhardt to tell her what a huge difference she made in my life. I hope that all children are as lucky as I was, to have such a wonderful caring and brilliant teacher at some point in their schooling.
Please know that I am thinking of dear Mrs. Kunhardt and have the fondest memories of this very special lady that you all had the great privilege of calling your relative. Sending my highest regards and much thanks to Mrs. Kunhardt along with prayers.
Best,
Serena Boardman (Class of 1988)
Alexandra Lavie
June 3, 2022
Sending love and condolences to all. I am very sad to learn of Aunt Edie´s passing.
Alexandra
The Leon Family
April 8, 2022
Thank you for all your teaching and wonderful friendships. We miss you and love you so much.
Melissa (Chang) Gunn
April 5, 2022
Mrs. Kunhardt was my second grade teacher at Chapin more than 40 (!) years ago. I remember that all the girls wanted to be in "Kunie"''s class because she was the most fun. My favorite 2d grade memory was reading "Bread and Butter Indian". We learned that they used to snack on bread, butter and sugar, so we all took great delight at lunch spreading the butter on our slices of white bread and pouring mounds of sugar on top, and she always let us do it with a big smile. She was warm and her class was a joy.
Also, Christopher was on my 10th grade Nicky Chapin trip to China, I believe.
Thinking of you and your family during this time and sending my condolences and love.
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John Ssigler
April 3, 2022
Edy was a wonderful friend to my wife and me. She was so generous with her time and energy. She was funny and so full of life. And she liked my cooking!
Sarah Marchant
March 31, 2022
Thinking of you and your family. Wishing you some comfort and peace in spending time with each other. So sorry for your loss.
The Staff of Clark Associates Funeral Home
March 29, 2022
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
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