Edith 'Ede' J. Cardinal, 93, a longtime Carson City resident, passed away on February 3, 2012 after a short illness. She was born on May 18, 1918 in Burlington, Iowa to Harry and Catherine Wynn. Ede has been a Carson resident since 1955.
Ede grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa as the youngest of four. She attended Coe College in Cedar Rapids where she studied French among other subjects. As a young woman, Ede especially loved to go dancing. She later moved to Los Angeles in 1939. An aspiring journalist, Ede attempted to break into the news business. She got a few small columns published but decided instead to work for the banking industry and 'go into numbers' as her father predicted she would. She worked at the Bank of America for 15 years, working her way into the accounting department, an extraordinary feat for a woman of her time.
Ede married Forrest Brayton in 1945 and eventually moved to Carson City in 1955 where she worked for the Nevada State Tax Commission for 25 years. Ede enjoyed golfing and the outdoors, and she played on Carson City's first 9-hole golf course, now the current-day Mills Park. Several years following the death of her husband Forrest, Ede married Bill Cardinal in 1979.They travelled across Nevada together in their trailer, fishing and hunting throughout the state. Ede was a 'TV nut' as she put it, and watched sports frequently. She was an avid sports fan and a long-time supporter of the 49ers and the Giants, and she also enjoyed watching golf. Ede had a sharp wit and was a crossword puzzle wiz. She was a generous and selfless person, and she gave freely to her loved ones. Ede also loved making elaborate latch-hook rugs for family and friends. Fiercely independent, Ede always tried to lend a hand to friends and family even into her 90's.
Ede is preceded in death by her mother and father, two brothers and a sister, her first husband Forrest, and second husband Bill. She is survived by her nephew Mike Ennis of Florida; step children Marie Werner (Larry), Paul Cardinal (Cindy), David Cardinal (Rhonda); her grandchildren Eric Werner (Lorraine), Aaron Werner (Christie), Alison Cardinal, Andrew Cardinal (Sophie), Carson Cardinal; and two great grandchildren.
The family wants to offer special thanks to the caregivers at Sierra Place & VistaCare Hospice for their loving care.
There will be a Celebration of Life on Sunday, February 26, 2:00 p.m., Ormsby Room Carson City Sheriff's Office, 911 East Musser St., Carson City.
Make donations in Ede's memory to the charity of your choice.
