Yvonne E. (Cox) Edison

Yvonne E. “Vonnie” Edison, 87, of Winthrop, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on April 6, 2026, after a period of declining health.

Born May 16, 1938, in Rochester, New York, to Lawrence and Lois Cox, Vonnie was the eldest of three children. Her father’s ministry took the family to several communities throughout New York, including Hudson Falls, where she attended school before transferring to Union Springs Academy, where she was part of the Class of 1956. She continued her education at Atlantic Union College, earning a Secretarial Certificate in Office Management. On June 1, 1958, she married the love of her life, Jay W. Edison, beginning a partnership marked by devotion, service, and shared purpose.

Following Jay’s completion of medical school in 1962, the couple lived in Takoma Park, Maryland, while he served in the U.S. Air Force. When his service ended, they spent several years in Theresa, New York, before settling in Whitehall, New York, where they raised their family. There, Vonnie worked for many years as the Office Manager in husband's medical practice. She was known for her steady competence, warm presence, and compassionate care for patients and families.

In 1995, after Jay retired from medicine, the couple embraced a new chapter of service, spending two years in Kyrgyzstan with the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA). Upon returning to the United States, Jay became ADRA’s Health Director, and Vonnie joined the staff of the Ellen G. White Estate. When they retired in 2002, they traveled the country in their motorhome—volunteering as caretakers at state and national parks, reconnecting with friends, and savoring the beauty of the outdoors.

After seven years of travel, they made their home in the quiet hamlet of Marlborough, New Hampshire, where they lived until Jay’s passing in 2019. In recent years, Vonnie resided in Winthrop, Massachusetts, where she treasured time spent with her children and grandchildren. She and Jay were blessed with nearly 61 years of marriage—years filled with love, service, and shared adventure.

A lifelong member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Vonnie’s faith shaped every part of her life. She held firmly to the hope of Christ’s return, a promise that brought her deep peace. She and Jay were strong supporters of Adventist education, ensuring their children had that foundation and helping many others do the same. Vonnie served on the Union Springs Academy board and was active in the alumni association, including serving as president. She also devoted many years to nurturing young people in the church, leading Pathfinder programs and teaching Sabbath School at every level—though her heart was especially drawn to the Primary children. Even as a young girl, she found joy in serving, teaching Kindergarten and Cradle Roll, creating her own props and visual aids to make lessons come alive. Her love for children and her desire to share God’s love with them remained constant throughout her life.

A devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, Vonnie was also a woman of many talents. An accomplished seamstress and florist, she loved creating beauty and sharing her creations with others. She also found great joy in the kitchen, where her cooking and baking became expressions of her love. She was especially known for her homemade pies—pumpkin and lemon meringue among family favorites—as well as the jams she lovingly prepared and shared with others.

Vonnie also enjoyed doing outdoor activities, including camping, snow skiing, ice skating, and water sports. She even slalom waterskied at 60 years of age, a fact she was quite proud of! She was also a lifeguard and taught swimming at Camp Cherokee in the Adirondacks for two years.

A woman who loved to laugh and make others laugh, Vonnie was a practical joker and never passed up the opportunity for a good water fight. Yet, while her family and friends cherished her for her fun-loving, spunky nature and endless energy, Vonnie also had a gift for making others feel welcome, not just in her home, but in her heart. Her door was always open to anyone, but especially to young people in need of friendship, laughter, or just a delicious home-cooked meal. Vonnie loved deeply, found joy in simple moments, and created lasting memories with her family and friends.

Vonnie is survived by her seven children, JoAnn Cooley (Nils Lange) of Clinton, MA; Richard Edison (Ana) of College Place, WA; Lawrence Edison (Bonnie) of New Ipswich, NH; Nannette Kelly (William) of West Danville, VT; Jannette Kling (Charles) of Winthrop, MA; Joan Lee (Jeffrey) of Queensbury, NY; and Donna Marincic of South Glens Falls, NY.

She is also survived by her siblings, Hazel Sowers and Herb Cox; 15 grandchildren; 22 great‑grandchildren; 1 great‑great‑grandchild; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family members and friends.

She was predeceased by her husband, Dr. Jay W. Edison; her son, Edward Edison; and her parents, Lawrence Hugh Cox and Lois (James) Cox.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers at The Katzman Family Center for Living, The Parc at Harbor View Assisted Living, PACE Neighborhood Health in Winthrop, and Massachusetts General Hospital for their kindness and compassion.

In keeping with her wishes, there will be no calling hours. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, May 31, at 11:30 AM at the Leominster Seventh-day Adventist Church, 445 Union Street, Leominster, MA. A meal will follow in the church hall. Burial will take place privately in the family lot in Hampton, New York, at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Union Springs Academy, Attn: Development Office, P.O. Box 524, Union Springs, NY 13160, 315-889-7314 https://unionspringsacademy.org/ways-to-support/ or Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), 12501 Old Columbia Road, Silver Spring, MD 20902, 800-424-ADRA (2372),  https://give.adra.org/

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