Edith died from heart failure Sunday morning, Feb. 21, 2010, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Lewiston with her daughter Carol at her side. She was born April 2, 1913, at Patrick, Ark., to Bertha and John Smith.
In 1915, the family moved to the Joseph, Ore., area and then in 1927 they moved to Lewiston, where she graduated from Lewiston High School in 1932. The "Class of '32" had many class luncheons throughout the years that she was instrumental in organizing. She really enjoyed visiting with her classmates until just a few years ago when most of them had passed on.
In July 1932, she married Frank Caragio and had one daughter, Carol, wife of Ray Servatius. She had three grandchildren, Randy and Tammy Servatius of Clarkston, Cheryl and Forrest Renslow of Spokane, and Rick and Liz Servatius of Scottsdale, Ariz. She had six great-grandchildren, Kelli, Ryan, Kyle, Katie, Ashley and Tiffany; and one great-great-grandchild, Ronin. She had one brother, Jack Smith of Tacoma, and a niece, Jacquie and Earl Stroschein of Lewiston.
She really enjoyed it last fall when we all got together and she had her picture taken with the five generations. She was so proud of her family.
She was preceded in death by her husband Frank, brother John Smith and sister Opal Steward.
After graduating high school she worked at Curley's restaurant in North Lewiston and the Corner Fountain in the Lewiston Orchards. She attended the first class for licensed practical nursing at St. Joseph Hospital and graduated in 1951. She worked at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center for 25 years, the last five doing special duty nursing.
She enjoyed bowling and was on a league for several years. She really took pride in her flowers, and spent many hours watering and taking care of them with her good friend and neighbor of many years, Glenella Finnell.
Frank and Edith had a cabin at Lake Chatcolet, and spent many of their retirement years there fishing and visiting with friends who also had places on the lake. She was a member of the Orchards Christian Church and was active in their guild.
She spent her last two years at the Royal Plaza Retirement Center, and was very happy with her apartment and all the new friends she had acquired.
Funeral services and burial will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Lewis-Clark Memorial Gardens in the Lewiston Orchards.
Any memorials should be made to the Idaho Foodbank in Lewiston.
