Edith Roberta Beard

Edith Roberta (Twynham) BeardBorn April 16, 1922 at her Grandmother's home in Georgetown, Edith was a proud fourth generation native Washingtonian. The eldest child of the late Robert E. Lee and Frances Nichols Twynham, Edith spent her formative years in Northwest Washington. She loved to share her colorful tales of growing up on Gallatin Street where games of jacks and hopscotch with young friends blended seamlessly with the memories of adult parties that defined the Roaring Twenties. The Depression Era was as impactful for her as it was for everyone. However, her delight in retrieving “free dishes” from boxes of laundry detergent laid the foundation for what later became an adult pursuit of collecting Depression Era glass. A 1940 graduate of Notre Dame Academy, Edith cherished her time on K Street. She readily shared her admiration for the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur and how much she valued the education she received. It was while attending Notre Dame that she caught the eye of a neighboring Gonzaga High School Student, John Beard. An end of year Freshman prank required her to sing to him “Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree With Anyone Else But Me” and a relationship bloomed. After graduation, Edith attended Strayer Business School and went on to become a telephone operator. Her busiest day was December 7, 1941 when Pearl Harbor was attacked. The switchboard lit up with anxious callers all through her shift. Edith and John married on October 5th, 1942 and moved to Tullahoma, Tenn. where John trained for World War II duty. Edith returned to Washington when John was deployed and readied for the birth of their first child. The next few decades were filled with the hustle and bustle of family life and the care of their eight children, Thomas Richard (1943-2008), James Michael (1946-2014), John Joseph, Robert Kenneth, Stephen Frances, Catherine Ann, Joanne Marie and Mary Ellen. Edith assumed her role as home maker with great aplomb. She was a zealous housekeeper and kept everything well organized in her small home. Her credo of “Sweep the front porch every day and the dirt does not come into the house” made much more sense when we became adults. An incalculable number of diapers and baskets of laundry were washed and put through the wringer before Edith owned an automatic washer! Brown paper lunch bags with each child's name and grade written on it lined the dining room table each morning. How she remembered who liked mustard not mayonnaise or only bologna and never peanut butter always remained a mystery. A wonderful cook, her spaghetti sauce was only outdone by her oyster stew and crab cakes. It was always great fun to watch her and John work as a team as they hoisted the overlarge Thanksgiving turkey from the roaster to the carving plate. Her “free time” was spent as a Room Mother for one or more of the children attending St. Thomas More School and teaching CCD. She was good neighbor to all and a wonderful friend to many. As her younger children grew older, Edith returned to the work force as a switchboard operator. She retired from the National Gallery of Art where she managed the telephone office and oversaw the installation of its first digital switch! Edith loved her years “at the Gallery” where she made many friends. As a lady of leisure, Edith pursued her many interests. She enjoyed learning about and collecting antiques and Depression Era glass and was active in many clubs. Edith loved her morning swims and then grabbing a cup of coffee with her pals at the Junior Hot Shoppes. She was a thoughtful shopper and rarely missed a sale at Woodies. She and John took many road trips but she was always happiest when returning home. Her yarn bag was rarely out of her sight as she crocheted afghans for family and friends and knitted tiny hats for premature infants for the CAREWEAR project. Of course, her Grandchildren, Denise, Thomas, Theresa, James, Kristen, Andrew, Aaron, Matthew, Christopher, David, Robert and Kevin were never far from her thoughts. Lending a hand when needed and keeping abreast of all their activities was important to her. She was proud to be a Great Grandmother to Carmello, Nicki, Evan, Michael, Jack, Owen, Maggie and Parker. Edith lived a very full and active life touching the lives of so many. She passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 14. She was preceded in death by John her husband of 59 years, sons Thomas (Pamela of Florida) and James (Angela Auletta of Annapolis) and brother Robert Twynham (Eileen of Baltimore). She is survived by brother James Hugh Twynham, Hedgesville WV, sons John (Pamela of Alexandria, Virginia ) Robert (Mary Pat Bierle of Yankton, South Dakota) Stephen (Jennifer, Jessup, MD) and daughters Catherine Harman (Charles of District Heights, MD) Joanne Moore (Richard of Pittsburgh PA) and Mary Ellen Andrews (Robert of Tuxedo, MD); Grandchildren Denise Knott, Thomas Beard, Theresa Freni, James Beard, Kristen Fleming, Robert Beard, Andrew Beard, Aaron Harman, Matthew Harman, Christopher Moore, David Andrews and Kevin Andrews and eight Great-Grandchildren. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Edith Roberta Beard please visit our Sympathy Store.