Edith L. Metz, 93, formerly of Audubon, passed away peacefully on November 16, 2016 at 12:50 PM in the Golden Living Center, Exeter, with her son David and his fiancé, Carolyn Rohrbach, at her side. Cause of death was listed as congestive heart failure. Born in Alleghenyville on April 29, 1923, she was the daughter of the late Robert W. and Dorothea L. McLenegan.
Raised during hard times of the Depression with seven siblings, early values instilled of hard work, thrift, honesty, integrity, caring, and compassion remained hallmarks of her character for the remainder of her life. Those same values set the moral compass of her three children, Dee, Allen, and Dave.
Edith raised three children selflessly, without financial or emotional support, working menial manufacturing and assembly jobs while maintaining an immaculate house. She painted or applied wallpaper in every room of the house. She also grew vegetables in her garden. Each of us had chores to help out.
Edith was a strict, but fair, disciplinarian. When "yes" was the expected answer, we knew "no" or "maybe" was not an option. She was like a drill sergeant, but we also knew her love was unconditional and all-encompassing, until the day she died.
Edith enjoyed bowling, fishing, bingo, playing board games (Parcheesi and Monopoly), all shared with her children. Later, during her "empty nest" years, her favorite pastime was trips to the casino in Atlantic City on her birthday and Mothers' Day. She would parlay her $300 cash gift into a handsome profit. One time, with our Klein bus waiting, she hit for $2,500. You couldn't remove the smile from her face for days.
After her divorce, Edith lived with her son in Audubon for 35 years. She adopted a Pomeranian, "Princess", who was her constant and loyal companion for 12 years. She even took Princess once (and only once) to the Acme, until she incurred the undivided attention of the store manager.
Edith lived there until the effects of dementia robbed her of her independence and her ability to drive at the age of 90. She had a fierce will to live, but any joy in the last few years was tempered with daily debilitating fear and paranoia as her disease progressed.
Edith was predeceased by her son, Allen (living widow Linda), who sustained a tragic neck injury and, after 5 years as a quadriplegic, succumbed at the age of 51 in 2003; and also our precious family member, "Princess."
Surviving are daughter, Dee, and son, David; also one grand son, Eric; grand daughters Jenny and Julie, and one great-grand daughter, Emily.
At Edith's request, she was cremated, and services will be private.
I would like to thank all of those that provided loving care for Edith in the Golden Living Center. Also, a special heart-felt thanks to her life-long, best friend, Helen Woodruff; also long -term friend, Judy Katein, as well as new friend, Lisa Gursky. Last, but not least, to my Carolyn--your patient and loving care can never be rewarded enough. Edith loved you like her daughter!
Mom--we miss you; we love you; we will see you again on the other side. Love, Dave.
A special thanks to Mr. Michael F. Feeney during our time of need. Arrangements by John P. Feeney Funeral Home, Reading.
