Edna Lena Roode

After a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s, it is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our Mommy, Edna Lena Roode on October 27, 2025 at the age of 89.

Edna was the beloved wife of Bob and they had a very precious love for each other. He was her strength, and she was his. Edna was a devoted Mommy to her children, a loving Mother-in-law, an adoring Grandmother and Great Grammy, and a loyal friend.

Most importantly, she was a devoted follower of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Although we are saddened by her loss, we are rejoicing knowing that even though she is not in our arms, she is in the loving arms of the One who created and died for her, Jesus Christ. We know she has been restored and the chains of sickness that once bound and took her freedom have been broken, and she is more alive now than she has ever been.

Edna lost her mom at the tender age of eight during World War II. She knew what it was like to live through hard times and to suffer loss. She loved her parents, her siblings and her nieces and nephews, and was her daddy’s little girl.

She lived her life in service to her family and to others. Despite working endless hours in the Brentwood High School Security Department, she managed to make the most delicious meals and desserts. Cooking was her forte and eating one of her meals was like eating in a restaurant. She made homemade manicotti and red gravy with her cheesecake being a family favorite. She was also known for her homemade Chicken Soup and Kielbasa with sauerkraut and apple pie filling. There wasn’t a meal she couldn’t make.

She was very active in SEPTA during its grass roots movement in the 1960’s in the Brentwood School District. She ran the dances to help raise money for the organization. She taught Catechism and later Sunday School. She led by example as she modeled the Scripture, “Love Your Neighbor as Yourself.” She was the Salt and Light in the lives of those who were living in darkness. She cooked meals for those who were sick, mourning, or had fallen on hard times and couldn’t provide a meal for their own families. She hired a woman to do some ironing, not because she couldn’t iron herself, but because the woman needed extra money to care for her own family. Our mother was not rich, but she was rich in spirit and trusted that God would provide for her family as she helped another family. Despite having a house full of her own children, she took in a young infant whose parents were going through a tough time. She loved that child as her own until the parents were able to take her back.

She loved animals and we had many pets including a rabbit that hopped around the house. Our mom allowed us to rescue a cat that we knew was being abused and ended up with 13 kittens until she found a home for each of them. We even had dogs, fish and a bird.

Music filled our home, the radio was always on, or records were being played. She watched American Bandstand with her children and taught them how to dance. Music filled her life. She loved to sing and was on the worship team at her church.

Our mother was our greatest supporter and guiding light. She taught us strength by her example and was the Heart of our family. We will miss her smile, her easy laugh and gentle manner. Her love, kindness, and wisdom will always be a part of our lives. Even though she has passed into eternity, she will always live on through us and through her beloved Husband, our Papa Bob.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of the following Food Banks:

Long Island Cares – The Harry Chapin Food Bank (licares.org) Long Island Cares

Lighthouse Mission (lighthousemission.com) Lighthouse Mission

Thank you to all the wonderful medical and nursing staff who cared for Edna at Mather Hospital and Good Shepherd Hospice.

Thank you to Sunrise of Holbrook Senior Living for loving her the way you did.