Edith "Duffy" Irene Reynolds
November
1, 1928 -
August 22, 2021
Macy & Son Funeral Directors, McMinnville, Oregon
Edith was born in Dalhart, Texas, on Nov. 1, 1928, to Albert and
Vio (Randel) Reynolds. When she was five years old, the family drove with their
belongings to California, escaping the Dust Bowl. Edith began her schooling in
Pasadena before her family relocated to Grants Pass, Oregon. The family
survived the Great Depression by tending their milk cows, gardening, and
canning. Edith’s mother wanted piano lessons for her daughter and traded
vegetables from her garden for lessons. Edith would often play the piano in the
evenings, a brother on either side, and the three of them would sing together.
When she was a teenager, the family moved to Springfield,
Oregon, where she became close friends with a girl at church who encouraged her
to go to college. Edith had always been an excellent student and followed her
friend to Linfield. She quickly learned of the prohibitive costs and worked
many long hours cleaning and working on campus to pay for her education. Edith
enjoyed being at Linfield. She made many lifelong friends, loved her dorm and
her classes, took on numerous leadership roles, and became a devout fan of
Shakespeare and the Wildcats. Edith was the first person in her family to
attend college, graduating in 1951 with a major in English and a minor in Home
Economics.
Edith taught junior high and high school briefly in Gaston and
Helix, respectively, before receiving a letter from the head of the Linfield
Home Economics Department asking her to return and join the faculty. Ms.
Reynolds was a beloved and sought out professor of Home Economics for more than
30 years. The younger generations of her family who attended Linfield were
amazed by the deep affection her students felt for her. Edith invested extra
time helping students with their work and encouraged them through the ups and
downs of their personal lives. She conveyed to each student her warmth and
confidence in their success.
She was an artist, designing clothing and historical costumes
for Linfield’s theater and opera workshop productions. In addition to sewing
and clothing design, she taught weaving and wove beautiful wall hangings on the
large looms in the Home Economics Department. Edith received her Master’s
Degree in Textiles from the University of Tennessee, choosing this particular
program because they were doing specialized research on the color blue.
In the years following her career, Edith invested in both
Linfield and the McMinnville community. She continued designing and altering
costumes for the Linfield theater, while also devoting weekly hours to support
young readers at Newby Elementary School and volunteering regularly for church
events. Even at 90 years old, she could be found on Mondays helping in the
church office; an experience she thoroughly enjoyed. Edith was comfortable with
people of all ages and related easily to whomever she was with, talking,
laughing, and always being generous and kind. In 1992, she received a Linfield
College Alumni Service award.
Edith was interested in the world, history, and the arts. She
was an avid reader and delved deeply into her own family genealogy. She
traveled extensively with Sybil Seward, her best friend of 50 years, who
chronically insisted upon mailing oversized and breakable treasures back to the
States much to Edith’s chagrin, but all arriving safely. Edith and Sybil shared
many wonderful adventures together in this life, frequently trekking to
Powell’s bookstore, touring the wine country, attending theater productions,
visiting art exhibits, and gathering with family and friends. Edith’s own
watercolors were featured in several local showings, and inspired summer visits
to Whidbey Island to paint with other artists.
Edith will be missed for her warmth, generosity, and integrity.
She was the epicenter of her large extended family. She was the dependable big
sister who could hold her own with her mischievous younger brothers, and whom
they adored forever. Younger generations were always welcome in her home and
heart. No matter what awkward phases of life they were whirling through, she always
believed in them. Many family values and traditions, like mahjong, Watanabe’s
art, traveling, and the piano she continued to play, began with time spent in
Edith’s home.
Edith is survived by one of her two younger brothers, and many
extended family members. A graveside service will be held for her family.
Remembrances may be given to Linfield College or First Baptist
Church, McMinnville.
Services are private. You can still show your support by sending
flowers directly to the family of Edith "Duffy" Irene Reynolds.
