Edith Ruth Heitner's Obituary
Edith Ruth Heitner (née Hagler), 2/16/1932-5/30/2025, was known to her loved ones as Edie, Mom, Grandma, Hudi, and kid. She passed away with her daughters at her side.
Proudly born and raised in the Bronx, she grew up in an apartment on Pelham Parkway with her loving parents, Meyer and Miriam, and her siblings, Ellen and Warren. She fondly remembered carrying her little brother, Warren, around like a baby and caring for him like a second mother. When her sister, Ellen, moved to California, she would always dial her early in the morning, misunderstanding the time difference every time (and getting a good laugh about it).
After getting married, she moved to Clearview Gardens, Queens, where she lived for over 50 years. Raising her daughters, Judi and Lisa, was the pride of her life. Some of her fondest memories include summers at the country house in Mogul Park, caring for plants in the house and in her garden, refurbishing antique furniture scouted from estate sales, and frequent visits from her friends in the neighborhood. As her daughters grew up, she stayed in constant contact with them, spending time together on vacations, shopping trips, and speaking over the phone.
Judi remembers back to school shopping at White’s near the country house every summer with her mom, her sister, Lisa, and friends, Renee and Susan. Edie would inspect every inch of every garment and if she found an imperfection (that she could fix) she would march up to the register to get a more favorable price. Judi and Lisa would affectionately joke that Edie and Renee put White’s out of business. When Judi learned to play Mah Jongg Edie was thrilled and imparted her wisdom to make Judi a better player. For Lisa, every time she came to Florida, it was mandatory for her to make Pina coladas for Mom and her friends. Before she could go home, she had to make more for the freezer so they could enjoy until the next time she came. It was a favorite for her, and it was a pleasure to do so! Edie would let her hair down, so to speak, and together they would cut loose and have a great time. Edie often wanted to go to a casino and Lisa named her “Lucky Lucy” as she always won money! Her mom was the light of her life, and she feels adrift without her. Love knows no bounds, and she will always reside in Lisa’s heart!
Edie became even more delighted and proud with the birth of her grandchildren: Jason, Adam, Alison, and William. She was very involved in all of their lives. With the birth of her first grandchild, Edie became Jason's go to babysitter and was always happy to spend time with her delectable grandson. When Adam and Alison came along 10 and 12 years later, she would spend weekends with them in her small-but-mighty kitchen in
Clearview. She would accompany Judi and the Silverstein family for Jewish holidays and embraced that side of the family as an extension to her own. When Lisa and Curtis welcomed William into the world, she was overjoyed. As he grew to be taller than anyone else in the family, she affectionately called him her "Jolly Green Giant" and loved to spend time with him and show him off to her friends.
Edie lived for her family, friends, and community. She worked part time at ophthalmologist office and was always happy to volunteer. When she moved to Florida 15 years ago, her community and volunteerism only grew. She volunteered at the senior center and continued to pursue crafting, making time for ceramics, needlepoint, and knitting, which she would gift to her family and display in her home. She also loved to play Canasta and Mah Jongg, especially when she won a buck or two in a tournament.
Edie was a force of nature: loving, warm, witty, always cared for others in her life, and stubborn (though she would never call it that) about putting others' needs before her own. Her memory lives on in the minds and hearts of her family and friends.
What’s your fondest memory of Edith?
What’s a lesson you learned from Edith?
Share a story where Edith's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Edith you’ll never forget.
How did Edith make you smile?
