Ms. Edna Mae Barron
February 9, 1932 – September 18, 2019
BARRON, EDNA MAE, Gone but will never be forgotten. Edna Mae Barron, 87, passed away in Naples Florida on September 18, 2019 to her eternal rest following a brief illness. She was born February 9, 1932 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to loving parents George Rutherford Barron and Carrie Powers Barron, nee Nelson-Powers. She was the surviving daughter of Carrie and George’s six children: John (Fran), Dorothy, George William (Alice), Ruth and Robert (Dee).
She is survived by Christine Barron Macaulay(Jack), George (Chip) Barron Jr,(Vonna),Charles Graham Barron (Patty) John Gregory (Greg) Barron(Lori), Mark Preston Barron, Sherry Barron Byron(Lee), Linda Barron Folk (Mark), Peter Barron(xx), Bruce Barron(Lisa), deceased Robert Barron Jr (Donna) James Barron (Mary Lou), Richard Barron (Kelly). And many great nieces and nephews.
Edna Mae had a servant’s heart and while she never married, she was the heart of her family which expanded to her many nieces and nephews and their families. Her dedication to others was evident as she retired early from her 25-year career at Mass. Mutual Insurance company to care for her Mother. Edna Mae’s care allowed her mother to remain in her home until the day of her death just a few weeks before her 102nd birthday. Edna Mae’s contagious smile and gregarious personality shined not only for every member of her family but those in her community, in her volunteer work and later in her Naples Shores community. Her perpetual warm smile greeted all who would meet her including every dog in her community who greeted her with wagging tails and jumps of joy. She knew each of the dogs and owners’ names.
As a young girl, Edna Mae was an active member of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls. She played piano and was an avid reader throughout her life. Following her graduation from Frankford High School, Edna Mae went on to receive her Degree in business. She worked in an administrative role at Girard Bank in Philadelphia prior to its acquisition by Mellon Bank in 1983. She joined the insurance industry as a manager retiring in 1990. Upon her retirement she received many words of gratitude for her abilities and knowledge. One CEO stated “you have been an important person to so many us connected to Mass Mutual and the glue that held one agency together.” Whatever the problem he said the usual comment was “call Edna Mae” and “it always worked”. “We have so many reasons thank you…”
Throughout her life she was a model “modern businesswomen” for her nieces who remember her impeccable presentation on her way to work her high heels and dress or suit. She thought nothing of walking from her home in Huntingdon Valley to the train station when the weather for driving was risk. Nothing would prevent her from fulfilling her commitment to her company and roles she served.
Her demeanor of business intertwined for love for her family and friends was evident to all of her family and even to this day her great nieces and nephews. As Christina Macaulay expressed “I loved how she always showed the importance of family, her independence, her sense of self. She set the gold standard for future businesswomen and world traveler. For her family she always showed up. Her love of all creatures great and small. I loved her childish delights expressed by “Oh Goody”! And her “Tex Mix”.
All of her remaining nieces and nephews have expressed how much we will moss our “Aunty Mae” and will cherish the memories of her special love for all of us.
Throughout her life and into her eighties, Edna Mae was an avid tennis player, taking after cousin Sidney Gray and her great-uncle Walter Gray, who was married to her great-Aunt Ellen Elizabeth “Nellie” Voysey who was a professional tennis player and played at Wimbledon.
Edna Mae was the youngest of 6 children and the lone surviving daughter and the last child to pass away. In addition to her beloved parents, she was predeceased by (in order) sisters Dorothy Eleanora, Ruth, and brothers John Powers, Robert Reid, and George William.
Those family members left to mourn her loss include the following nieces and nephews: Christine Macaulay, George “Chip” Barron, Charles G Barron, J Gregory Barron, Mark P Barron, and Sherry Bryan, Linda Booth, Peter Barron, Bruce Barron and Richard Allen Barron and James Barron, along with dozens of great-nieces and nephews.
A service of remembrance will be held in Philadelphia Pennsylvania on November 30, 2019 at the Greenmount Cemetery. Edna Mae’s remains will be interred with those of her parents, grandparent and sister Dorothy and Ruth located at 4301 N Front St, Philadelphia,
PA 19140. (215) 329-4747. The Pastor Daniel Paul Morrison Senior Pastor of the Huntingdon Valley Presbyterian Church will lead the service. All are welcome to attend.
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