If you’re lucky, as a child you had at least one person who made you feel unconditionally loved and lovable. My great Aunt Edie was one of these people for me.

Throughout her life, Aunt Edie worked hard caring for others during the day and cleaning a large bank when it was closed at night. She single-handedly raised her own and other people’s children (my Dad included), instilling in them her gigantic, generous heart and unwavering service to others.

As a little girl, I was often sent to Aunt Edie’s house on weekends. Every time I walked in the door she’d shout, “It’s like getting a million dollars having you here!”

My love of The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson began at Aunt Edie’s. She’d let me stay up late and watch it with her. I must have been quite young, as my memory of this is vague. I remember her drinking tea from the saucer, which had either spilled over or perhaps was part of her nightly ritual.

Aunt Edie, her parents, and her many siblings (including my grandmother) came to the U.S. from England. I don’t know much about their or her history, except that Aunt Edie experienced her own trauma and hardship as a young teenager. Instead of it turning her bitter, she turned her adversity into loving, protecting, and nurturing anyone who happened to enter her orbit.

My great aunt's toasted white Wonder Bread with slabs of butter beneath a mound of Skippy’s peanut butter was heaven. To this day, peanut butter toast is my go-to when I need some culinary nurturance.

A relative recently posted a photo of Aunt Edie on social media. I had no pictures of her, except for those in my memory, and she died many years ago (in 1975 at the ago 80).

What a joy it was to see the photo, which inspired this tribute. Aunt Edie was a woman who exemplified unconditional love, generosity, service, and unwavering strength in the face of life’s adversities. This was Aunt Edie's legacy, which she passed along to those she loved and continues to impact us all today.