VIRGINA EDENS

January 23, 1943 - October 20, 2005

     Virginia Price Edens, 62, died on Thursday, October 20, 2005 in Phoenix, Arizona after a 15-month battle with ovarian cancer.

Virginia was born in Marlin, Texas on January 23, 1943 to William A. Price, Jr. and Lorene Barganier Price. She was in the class of 1962 at Marlin High School and graduated from Baylor University in 1966. Virginia and her husband John were married in the First United Methodist Church of Marlin on August 28, 1965, and they celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary this year.

     The Edens reared their sons in Denver then John's career took the Edens family to Miami, Farmington, and Phoenix. Each new brought awareness to Virginia of the wonders of nature, and she became an avid outdoorsman when she was not in her classroom fulfilling her duties as a dedicated teacher.

     Virginia was a highly regarded ornithologist. In Denver she was a member of the Denver Field Ornithologists and compiled the bird list for the Plains Conservation Center. In Miami she served as an officer and director of the Tropical Audubon Society, the largest such organization in the U.S. Virginia shared her knowledge and love of nature with others while serving as a volunteer conducting birding tours in Everglades National Park while also compiling the bird list for the Dade County Preserve on Biscayne Bay. Serving as president of both the Four Corners Audubon Society and the San Juan County Archaeology Association while also teaching school kept Virginia busy while living in Farmington, New Mexico. Recently health problems limited Virginia's outdoor activities; however, she was still walking the trails of the desert preserve near the Edens' as recently as last month.

     Virginia will be remembered for her effervescent smile, her ebullient personality, and the joy with which she approached life and the reality of her impending death. She was an inspiration to talk to during her illness; people responded to their interface with Virginia feeling that they were the ones who were uplifted by her positive spirit.

     She is survived by her husband, John R. Edens Phoenix, Arizona, son Roger P. Edens of Morrisville, Pennsylvania, son Brent D. Edens of Seattle, Washington, two grandchildren - Alexis and Leonard, her mother Lorene Barganier Anding of Marlin, Texas; step-mother Mary Hunnicut Price of Marlin, Texas and father-in-law Roger Edens of Waco, Texas. Virginia's siblings are William E. (Bill) Price of Salado, Texas; James E. Price of Dallas, Texas and Mary Ann Price Close of Ramrod Key, Florida.

     A memorial service will be held in Phoenix, Arizona at the Religious Society of Friends Meeting House, 1702 E. Glendale Avenue, Phoenix, Arizonia at 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 5, 2005 with Virginia's ashes being scattered over the desert that she loved on the mountain trail behind their Saturday afternoon. Memorials may be shared with Phoenix Friends Meeting, c/o Vance Marshall, 4009 E. Coolidge, Phoenix, Arizonia, 85018.