Obituary of Edith Evelyn Peckham

Edith Evelyn Peckham entered into eternal life surrounded by her loving family June 9, 2014. Edith was born to Walter Lee and Hallie Elizabeth Rigsbee on July 23, 1919 in Durham, North Carolina. She was named after Edith Cavell, a nurse and humanitarian in World War I. Edith attended Durham High School through her junior year and graduated from high school in Burlington, North Carolina. In high school, she was a member of the National Honor Society, the Drama Club, and the French Club. Edith met her husband, Leslie, while he was attending the University of Georgia. They were married on September 17, 1946 at the Prince Avenue Baptist Church in Athens, Georgia. They lived in Palmyra and Monroe but were long time residents of Fort Atkinson. She worked for the telephone companies in Burlington, North Carolina; Athens, Georgia; and Monroe, Wisconsin. She also worked in the office at Jones Dairy Farm. She then worked in the Special Education Department of Jefferson County for 17 years until retiring in 1985. Edith belonged to St. John's Community Church where she taught Sunday School, helped in the nursery, and was on the church visitation team. She volunteered at the Dairy Shrine and food pantry and was a member of the Fort Atkinson Historical Society being active for years at the museum. Edith enjoyed reading, traveling, walking, animals and birds, playing a good game of euchre, and baking. She was noted for her blueberry pie. She loved spending time with family and friends. Edith was an incredible woman who touched every heart that was blessed to know her. She extended unconditional love to her husband, children, grandchildren, family, and friends. She was a woman of great faith. Her spirit was one of joy and compassion and will live on forever in our hearts. Edith was preceded in death by her husband, Leslie, many family members, and friends. She will be dearly missed by her two daughters Teresa Thom (Ken) of El Dorado, California and Brenda Martinez (Randy) of Waukesha, Wisconsin , and her three grandchildren Matthew Thom (Allison) of San Diego, California, Jamie Martinez (Caity) of Waukesha, Wisconsin, and Rachel Martinez of University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh. She is also survived by loving nieces and nephews; one sister, Thelma Libke of Portland, Oregon; and a very special sister-in-law, Maxine Peckham of Middleton, Wisconsin. Services will be held at Nitardy Funeral Home in Fort Atkinson. Visitation will be held Saturday, June 14, 2014 from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. with the Memorial Service to follow. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations to go to Hartland Terrace, 327 North Avenue, Hartland, Wisconsin 53029 in loving memory of Edith Peckham. The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thanks to the staff of Hartland Terrace for their compassion and exceptional kindness and care provided to our beloved Edith.