December 03, 2023

Dear Heckels,
Morgan let my son Jules know earlier last week that you saidly had to say goodbye to ‘..our meema’, your wonderful mum. 
My condolences to you and to all of you. May she rest in peace and may her legacy live forth in her grandchildren. 
To me she felt like my ‘American Mum’, when I had just moved from the Netherlands to the US, being and feeling alone, when I started working at Kemps Foods, on my own. That was before Caroline, with whom I had recently married, could join me.
Edie and your dad ‘adopted’ me, us. Your family became my family. She staged the Baby Shower for Caroline and you were the first ones to know that Daniel was born. 
She was more important than she probably ever expected she would be. We were both raised in warmhearted families with dedication, good faith and humor. Just like yours!
As my American Mum Edie represented what I was missing, we were missing. She was always hospitable and showed genuine interest in our challenges to get settled, in our efforts to make a contribution. 
Edie provided a sense of continuity and direction for us. Never panicking, always resourceful, really caring. 
After moving back to Europe we paid several visits throughout the years with our (grand)kids meeting with yours and Jules has been vacationing with you and stayed in touch. 
After my parents passed away, Edie and David became  a lifeline, at the Farm, the precious environment some of kids spent so many hours at to keep it up. We thank you for that, it has great meaning. 
We are sad she passed away. But we will forever carry all these memories, special moments with your mum, your meema, our American Mum, our Edie, with us. With gratefulness and love.
We are thinking of you and wish you all the strength in saying farewell. Edie deserves a special place among the Stars – she is certainly one of ours!
Much love, on behalf of the Douwes bunch in the Netherlands, 
Peter 

December 01, 2023

Dear Heckel Family,
I taught with Edie for many years at Neff and both of our children, Adam and Rebecca, had Edie for their first grade teacher at Neff.  She was a wonderful person to work with and a great, caring teacher to set our children on their paths to love learning.  I still remember her class play she did every year, The Poppy Seed Cakes.  Now that our children are grown with their own children, they fondly remember Mrs. Heckel with great memories of their year in her classroom every time they pass by her farm.  Our daughter lives fairly close so we drive by the farm frequently.  When our two oldest grandchildren were small, Edie invited us all to come see the animals.  I still have one of the peacock feathers from that visit.  We wish your family peace and comfort in knowing how many lives this special lady influenced over her life.

November 29, 2023

Dear Heckel family,
I have been praying throughout Edie’s trials, and I am truly sorry aout her passing; however, now she is at peace and in the arms of our God. She was a lovely woman who contributed much to our world. My personal contact with her was through Lititz Moravian and the Lititz Historical Foundation. For the latter, she, for many years, assisted me with the annual bake sale fundraising effort. Her best legacy, however, is the family who will continue to extend her goodness in so many ways. Please know that all of you are in my thoughts and prayers at this very sad time of saying goodbye. May sweet memories from many past days abate your present grief and instill you with peace that will abide with all of you with each day that passes. 
With heartfelt sympathy,
Deann Buffington