Edith was born at Richmond, New South Wales on Monday, 20 March 1922, the first of four children to John Cawthorn Warth and his wife Florence (“Kylie”). The other children were Bill, Meg and John.

Her father worked forty years for the Railways, finishing as Senior Train Controller in Sydney. Previously he was at various railway towns. From the time Edith was born, he was at Richmond, Murrurundi, Muswellbrook, Merriwa, Walcha Road, Cootamundra and Sydney.

Due to the ill health of her mother, Edith became a steadfast carer and supporter of her family. Edith provided that highly valued caring for her brothers and sister, her parents and later her husband John, and their children Kylie, Jonathan, twins Bill and David, and Robyn.

A keen and gifted singer and seamstress, Edith was encouraged in this by a letter from her Uncle Bill Warth in Ely, Cambridgeshire, who advised "you can study your Music and You cannot know too much about housekeeping skills". Edith displayed these skills and dedication in caring for others throughout her life. She was always available to the entire extended family through thick and thin.

Edith extended this caring to many charitable works after her children had established themselves, in particular raising funds for cancer research. The main pleasure that engaged her for the last twenty-one years was the Order of Amaranth, a caring and sharing masonic fraternity. Edith was very active in their activities and fund raising, assisted in many happy times by John.

Edith was always available to help anyone. She had a sparkle in her eye. She appreciated and could use good tools. Anything she put her mind to do, Edith did. If she saw something she wanted, she worked out how to make it herself. As well as dressmaking, this included carpentry, concrete paving, gardening, chasing magpies with a broom, anything...

Edith met her husband John Edward Anderson on a blind date with her friend Sheila Jenkins (later Sheila Hogan) at a Sydney Tivoli Theatre show, 50 years ago in September 1946. They married on 22 January 1949. Together they raised five children and eleven grandchildren, with all the loving care, good guidance, faith and Christian principles which we still value.

They first settled at Narrandera, thence to Epping where all five children were born. In 1963 the family moved to Brisbane. After three long days of driving, Edith pointed to the sign as the Gold Coast border was crossed. "Welcome to sunny Queensland." It was raining "cats and dogs", one of her many sayings and witticisms. In later years, Edith was proud to boast that she made the drive to Sydney in under twelve hours. There were many "unrestricted" speed zones in those days!

Kylie and Jonathan established themselves separately, and the remaining family returned to Sydney in 1972. Never one to let anything go to waste, Edith made all the garden walls and paths using thedaily bricklayers' leavings from a large complex of units being built behind the family home at Neutral Bay.

With all the children "married off" and John close to retirement, they built at Green Point near Gosford, where Edith again created all the trimmings of yet another home. Her garden produce was a constant delight.

It was there on 1 May 1993 that Edith suffered a massive stroke that doctors said would keep her in a hospital bed for life. Showing the pure spunk for which she is known, Edith improved herself over the next four months until she made herself able to go home with John. Edith enjoyed an active life still, and was out as often as possible. She retained her interest in the Amaranth and remained involved in many of their functions.

With the ups and downs of her condition, and to be closer to other family members, in November 1995, Edith agreed to move to Maroba Nursing Home, Newcastle, where she developed quite a reputation as a tease, usually in high spirits. John followed as soon as able and Edith often enjoyed the unit and its magnificent view at Adamstown Heights.

Unfortunately, further medical problems arose over the last three years, but Edith bore them in a way which was typical of her stamina and determination. Finally however she was able to depart from us with dignity over the last few days.

Edith is remembered with fondness and affection by all the lives she touched.

(This eulogy was composed by David Edward Anderson with the assistance of his father John, and his brothers and sisters, Kylie, Jonathan, Bill and Robyn. The eulogy was read by the minister conducting Edith's funeral service at Northern Suburbs Crematorium, North Ryde, New South Wales.)