Edith A. Mead

Edith A. Mead was born Edith A. Pennucci on January 6 1929 in Framingham Massachusetts where she lived until attending Bates College in Lewiston, ME. Her love for Maine developed while working summers as a camp counselor with her cousin Norma. During her college summers she waitressed at an upstate New York resort. Those long days of work never slowed her down. One evening she and a friend wanted to go to town and see Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald. No one had a car, so they hitchhiked!

Edith (Edie) graduated from Bates College with honors in 1951. From there the CIA recruited her to work in their Special Ops department. She always remembered her years working in Washington, DC and sharing an apartment with friends in Georgetown as some of the best in her life.

When Edie first arrived in DC she didn’t know many people but remembered that, Dave Mead, an acquaintance from high school was stationed there. She got in touch with him and asked him to set her up on a date. Well, very quickly Dave realized he wasn’t going to set her up with anyone! They began dating, married, had five children, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She always managed to find the time and energy to play with her grandkids who fondly remember “diving for pennies with Nana.”

Edie’s time as a parent did not end her interest in politics and community engagement. Her work included being campaign manager for a McLean delegate. After that successful run she joined him in Richmond for the legislative session. She was precinct captain and coordinator for HW Bush and Tom Davis. She served on the Human Services Council of Fairfax where she advocated for and assisted in securing funding for the ACCA Head Start program. Edie also worked at the Fairfax County Correctional facility with inmates to assist them in getting their Graduate Equivalence Degrees. Additionally, she worked with the Literary Council teaching young people to read and write. Edith would never leave the house without reading the newspaper knowing she would run into someone ready to discuss current events--especially politics.

During all those years she also learned how to play guitar and then teach it, played tennis, skied and traveled extensively. On one occasion she and the children piled into the car during a snowstorm just to get to the slopes on time! Her wisdom, endless energy and enthusiasm for life were, and still are, contagious!

Edith, Mom, Nana you are dearly loved.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 4th from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm at 6530 Bay Tree Court, Falls Church, VA

A service will be held on Thursday, September 5th at 11:00 am at John Calvin Presbyterian Church, 6531 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 22003

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to ACCA Child Development Center, 7200 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 22003 (www.accacdc.org). Please Checks payable to ACCA Inc. Please indicate in memo line: Legacy Fund "Edith Mead"