Edith Louise Balogh Halstead

HALSTEAD, Edith Louise Balogh, of Richmond, Va., passed away on July 8, 2023, after a prolonged battle with Lewy Body Dementia. She was preceded in death by her parents, Andrew James and Elizabeth K. Balogh. She is survived by her beloved husband and soulmate of 61 years, P. Michael Halstead; children, Melissa Halstead Baugher (James) and Mark Paul Halstead (Suzanne); grandchildren, Christopher Thomas White, Catherine Grace Halstead and William Dawson Halstead; brother, Kenneth A. Balogh (Susan); nephews, Andrew Scott Balogh (Sharon) and Jason Allen Balogh; niece and goddaughter, Sara-Lynne Joy Balogh Bailey (Geoffrey); great-nieces, Audrey Balogh and Madison Bailey; great-nephew, Anders Balogh.

Descended from Hungarian immigrants, Edie was born December 16, 1942, to Elizabeth and Andrew Balogh in Detroit, Michigan. Edie graduated from Edsel Ford High School in Dearborn, Michigan, in 1960 where, as a 15-year-old sophomore, she met the love of her life, Mike Halstead. The two married in August 1961 and moved to Las Vegas, New Mexico. Edie worked as a key punch operator while Mike attended New Mexico Highlands University on a basketball scholarship. Their daughter, Melissa, was born in New Mexico in 1964. Shortly afterward, the young couple returned to the Detroit area where their son, Mark, was born in 1967. In 1969, Mike and Edie moved to Lapeer, Michigan. While their children were young, Edie was a devoted stay-at-home mom and co-owner of Lapeer Carpet Company with Mike. In 1982, she began work for University of Michigan (Flint) Public Television, serving as Volunteer Director, Special Events Manager and Development Officer for the next 20 years. She then worked as Fund Development Officer for Visiting Nurse Services of Michigan for two years before moving to Richmond, Virginia in 2005. Edie retired in 2007 after working in Special Events/Fund Raising for the Massey Cancer Center at Virginia Commonwealth University. Edie received numerous awards during her career, including the 1983-84 Outstanding Service Award for Volunteer Leadership at University of Michigan Public TV; University of Michigan's Dorothea E. Wyatt Award in 1994, recognizing the contributions and accomplishments of outstanding women faculty and staff; and the 2011 Virginia League Planned Parenthood Volunteer of the Year.

Edie was known throughout her life for her humor, feistiness, passionate political beliefs and activism. She was a loving and supportive wife, mother and grandmother. She loved traveling to warm places, attending live theater, gardening, reading, and singing her favorite songs as they played on the car radio. Always proud of her Hungarian heritage, Edie adored her family and especially enjoyed spending time with her three grandchildren. In her last years, friends frequently remarked on her expressive blue eyes and sparkling smile. A celebration of Edie's life will take place 11 a.m. Friday, July 14, 2023, at Tuckahoe Pines Resort Lifestyle Community, 12330 Patterson Avenue, Richmond, Va., 23238. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that expressions of condolence be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association at lbda.org/donate. For condolences, see www.blileys.com.