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R.I.P. Elizabeth Edwards

Elizabeth Edwards has passed away. Her family released this statement:

Elizabeth Anania Edwards, mother, author, advocate died today at her home in Chapel Hill, surrounded by her family.

Today we have lost the comfort of Elizabeth's presence but she remains the heart of this family. We love her and will never know anyone more inspiring or full of life.

On behalf of Elizabeth we want to express our gratitude to the thousands of kindred spirits who moved and inspired her along the way. Your support and prayers touched our entire family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wade Edwards Foundation which benefits the Wade Edwards Learning Lab.

[More...]

Elizabeth Edwards was a unique, brave, inspirational, accomplished and compassionate woman.

Elizabeth Edwards was born July third, 1949 in Jacksonville, Florida. Her father was a navy pilot and she spent much of her childhood in Japan. She graduated from UNC Chapel Hill, the school where her father had worked as the assistant lacrosse coach.

After graduation, she went to UNC's law school and that's where she met John Edwards. The two were married at Bethel Baptist Church in Chapel Hill July 30, 1977. In 1981...Elizabeth went to work for the attorney general's office before moving to the law firm Merriman, Nicholls, and Crampton.

Elizabeth also clerked for a federal judge, taught legal writing. She authored an inspirational book in 2009, "Resilience: Reflections on the Burdens and Gifts of Facing Life’s Adversities.” Writing on the death of her father, and on imperfection, she wrote:

Too many times I have had to use my father’s strength — or my mother’s grace as she stood beside him — as a touchstone. I suspect we each have someone like him, someone whose personal courage in the face of impossible odds inspires us to do something we thought we could not do, who reminds us that what seems like a mountain in front of us can in fact be climbed. My father was an imperfect man in many ways, but maybe it was better that he was imperfect and that I knew he was, for I learned that perfection was not a requirement of resilience. This was Dad, and if he could decide to live, so could I.

R.I.P. Elizabeth. Your journey here is over, but your legacy will live on in the hearts of so many people whose lives you touched with your compassion, strength and resolve.

Update: A terrific photo montage of Elizabeth through the years is here.

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  • Display: Sort:
    Ah jeez. RIP. (5.00 / 2) (#1)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Dec 07, 2010 at 06:02:12 PM EST


    My sincere condolences to her family (5.00 / 0) (#2)
    by MO Blue on Tue Dec 07, 2010 at 06:08:34 PM EST
    She fought a tough fight amid personal turmoil and against an unrelenting foe. May her family be strengthened by her courage and love.

    Now she would have been a good president (5.00 / 1) (#3)
    by magster on Tue Dec 07, 2010 at 06:09:16 PM EST


    Farewell, Miss Elizabeth. (5.00 / 0) (#5)
    by jeffinalabama on Tue Dec 07, 2010 at 06:24:30 PM EST
    It isn't goodbye.

    A truly (5.00 / 2) (#6)
    by Zorba on Tue Dec 07, 2010 at 06:32:18 PM EST
    classy lady.  As we Greeks say, may her memory be eternal.  Αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη.

    So sorry for her family (5.00 / 1) (#8)
    by ruffian on Tue Dec 07, 2010 at 06:48:03 PM EST
    Much too early for them to lose her. And we have all lost a world class advocate.

    I scared my dog (5.00 / 2) (#9)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Tue Dec 07, 2010 at 07:07:28 PM EST
    I opened up the Seattle Times web page and there it was.  She died.  I gasped like I was terrified. I thought we had a few weeks to get used to the idea that this was it for her and to accept the loss.

    Such a sadness for her family and for so many of us.

    Good night.... (5.00 / 2) (#11)
    by desertswine on Tue Dec 07, 2010 at 08:29:15 PM EST
    and peace.

    Godspeed, Elizabeth. (5.00 / 1) (#12)
    by Anne on Tue Dec 07, 2010 at 10:40:49 PM EST
    May your family find comfort in their love for you and for each other, and may the lives you touched in your time here on earth go on to touch the lives of others in positive and courageous ways.

    How Sad (none / 0) (#4)
    by john horse on Tue Dec 07, 2010 at 06:15:41 PM EST
    I especially feel for her children.

    A great woman. (none / 0) (#7)
    by lilburro on Tue Dec 07, 2010 at 06:47:57 PM EST
    She will be missed.  Rest in Peace...

    Rest in peace Elizabeth (none / 0) (#10)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Dec 07, 2010 at 07:42:12 PM EST


    Angry in Ohio (none / 0) (#13)
    by tmaclam on Sat Dec 11, 2010 at 08:36:39 AM EST
    I am so angry to hear today that there will be protesters at her Funeral!!! I know she had beliefs but she had a strong fight with her cancer and we cannot forget how she handled all the controversy of her Husband!!! Let her go in peace and leave her alone people!!!