Edith Thayer passed away peacefully in her home on March 26 at the age of 81. She was cared for by Arthur, her loving husband of 23 years. Edith was born to Eunice and Everett Jackson in Staten Island, New York on July 28, 1943.
Edith was always a strong believer in education and lifelong learning. After moving to the Midwest and raising three children, she finished her own undergraduate degree while working full time at Loyola University in Chicago. She never gave up on her dream to work as a librarian. She graduated with a Masters in Library Science from the UW Madison at age 58 while working fulltime as a corporate librarian at CUNA. She retired from CUNA at the age of 70. She also participated in many book clubs and the Madison Herb Society. Edith’s other love was cooking. She was a strong advocate for Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and supported many local farmers. She clipped and saved recipes, tested recipes for local cookbooks and kept her own cooking blog https://thayerinthekitchen.blogspot.com/. As a foody, she was always excited to try new restaurants and get together to share meals with family and friends.
She also loved travel, American history, music, films, and the natural world. Growing up on the east coast, her family went on many camping and road trips. She and Arthur ( and family) visited many state and national parks, took cross country train and driving trips, attended many performances at Stoughton Opera House, supported bird and wildlife conservation organizations. She always inspired and encouraged her children to embrace their education and lifelong learning, develop their interests, participate in their communities and chase their dreams.
She is survived by her second husband Arthur Wieczorek, Sister Barbara Ford (Glenn), brother Arthur Jackson (Priscilla), her first husband Amos Hixon, daughters Tracy Hixon (Michael Haney), Victoria Yracheta (Michael Fergerson), son Paul Hixon (Jenny,) grandchildren Francesca, Jacob, Madilyn and Maddie her beautiful rescue cat.
A private family service will be held on April 11 in the Natural Path Sanctuary at The Farley Center, Verona which very much held with her belief in sustainable farming and community education.
The family wishes to express many thanks and gratitude to the kind, compassionate and attentive nurses and staff of Agrace hospice who attended to her and her family’s needs in her last weeks.
Memorials in her name may be donated to the Center for Biological Diversity or K9s for Warriors.
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