Jean P. Edler
On April 12, 2016, in Walnut Creek, Calif., Jean (Palmer) Edler entered into eternal peace with the Lord, joining her late husband, the Rev. Canon John R. Edler. Jean was able to celebrate her 91st birthday with her husband of almost 67 years, a partnership Jean cherished. She was dedicated to and took pride in her family, including her three daughters, Barbara, Cynthia, Deborah, and her son, Jack.
Born April 15, 1925, in Brooklyn to Dorothy Dixon Palmer and Roscoe Conklin Palmer Sr., her family also included a sister, Muriel Palmer Reeve, and a brother, Roscoe Conklin Palmer Jr., all who predeceased Jean.
When Jean was 5 years old, her family moved to Riverhead, where she lived and flourished, receiving a baccalaureate degree in sociology from Syracuse University in 1947. As a social worker, Jean traveled many miles serving the communities throughout Eastern Long Island.
On June 4, 1949, she married the love of her life, John Richard Edler, whom, much to her delight, she taught how to drive. In the 1950s, Jean and John moved to Irvington, N.J., where Jean became a teacher and guidance counselor for the Irvington school system. Her career would span 35 years and included earning a master’s degree from Kean College in New Jersey.
After retiring in 1991, she and John moved to their dream home on Gardiners Bay in East Marion, where they created and enjoyed many moments together with family and friends. As the winters became colder and the summers hotter, Jean and John moved to California in 2011 to join daughters Barbara and Cynthia in the more temperate California weather, where they enjoyed sitting outside year round. One of the highlights of Jean’s life was dancing with John at the June 2014 celebration party for their 65th wedding anniversary.
Jean lived a multifaceted life. While providing support for her husband’s religious vocation and raising a family, Jean’s quiet strength and resolve were characteristic in her roles as devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother, dedicated and respected teacher and guidance counselor. Once retired, Jean loved having her children and their families come for visits and share their lives. They loved being greeted with her warm and bright smile, her delicious meals, and her famous homemade cookies and coffee cakes.
In addition to her children, Jean completes her earthly journey witnessed by Judith Pollock, wife of daughter Barbara Edler, and William Marshall, husband of daughter Cynthia Edler Marshall, all residing in the San Francisco Bay Area; Michael Brennan, husband of Deborah Edler Brennan, residing in Tarpon Springs, Fla.; David Kietrys, husband of son, Jack Edler, residing in Philadelphia, Pa.; grandson Joseph Galascione, residing in Manheim, Pa.; Cynthia’s stepdaughter, Jessica Pilchick, living in Australia; and Deborah’s stepchildren, Shelly Brennan, Sean Brennan and Kelly Brennan-Lefever, all living in Pennsylvania.
As a woman of strong character, Jean P. Edler completes her life’s journey remembered for her quiet support, love, strength, compassion, dedication and dignity, throughout a life lived well. May she now rest in peace with her husband in the perpetual light of the Lord.
The memorial service for both Jean and John will be held on their 67th wedding anniversary at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 4, 2016, at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Greenport. A reception will follow in the church’s parish house. All are welcome.
The family requests donation checks should be made out to “The Book of Remembrance Fund” at Holy Trinity.
This is a paid notice.
