Edith Ruth Schuster

Edith Ruth Schuster, 89, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 3, 2011 at Mid-State Medical Center with her family by her side. She was the daughter of the late Myron and Ruth Schuster Sr. and sister of the late Myron Schuster Jr. She was born in Meriden and was a life-long resident. She graduated from Meriden High School in 1940 and the Fashion Design Department at E. C. Goodwin Technical School in 1942. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Connecticut in 1946 and a Master's of Science degree from the UCONN School of Education in 1960. 'Edie' as she was known, dedicated her life to teaching and mentoring and she surrounded herself with close friends of many different generations. She began teaching at Chapman Tech followed by New London and Stamford High Schools and at the W. F. Kaynor Technical School in Waterbury where she was the Fashion Design Department Head for 26 years, retiring in 1982. She embarked on a second career when she became a Big Sister for two girls and then as a caseworker for 10 years at the Meriden Wallingford Big Brothers Big Sisters Program. Edie was an avid craftsperson and built herself a craft workshop at her home which allowed plenty of room for creativity. She loved her garden and watching the flowers bloom during the summer. In the winter months, she never missed a UCONN Women's Basketball game on television. She enjoyed travelling and her nephews always talked about the trips with 'Gramma', 'Grampa', and 'Aunt Edie'. She especially loved Maine and during her retirement years owned a small summer cottage on Balch Lake in Newfield, Maine that was enjoyed by many family and friends. Besides her parents and brother, Edie is predeceased by her nephew J. Mark Schuster. She is survived by her nephew Neil and his wife Nancy Schuster; her grandniece Leigh Schuster; her grandnephew Luc Schuster; Mark's wife Charlotte Harrison; godchild Stacey Haines and her children Kyle and Gavin. She is also survived by many close neighbors and friends who have always been very significant to her. Edie would always express to her family how much she appreciated their help. A service of Celebration and Remembrance will be held at the Hubbard Memorial Chapel located in the Walnut Grove Cemetery in Meriden on Saturday, August 20th at 10:30 am. Burial will be at a later date. BEECHER & BENNETT- FLATOW FUNERAL HOME, 48 Cook Avenue, Meriden, in care of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, her family has requested that donations be sent in her name to the Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters Program which will support the programs in the Meriden/Wallingford area: Nutmeg Big Brothers/Big Sisters, 30 Laurel St., Hartford, CT 06106, Attn: Development Department.