Massachusetts Celebration

Updated: 15 August 2019

The main celebration of Emily's life was at East Boston Camps (EBC) in Westford, Massachusetts on August 10th, 2019. The main ceremony was followed by a picnic, games, and a guided trail walk.

Emily was a Vice President of the Friends of East Boston Camps and supported fundraising and their various events for many years: for more information on EBC, click here. As Emily wished, all were welcome to celebrate ("the more the merrier") and this was a casual picnic style event. The celebration included remarks by family and friends, Emily's favorite songs and poems, as well as dancing.

Attendees were asked to bring one freshly cut flower from their garden that were added to a celebration arrangement. Attendees were also asked to write down a memory of Emily that can be shared with her daughter, Jane, so that she can more fully know her mother; you can also contribute a memory by sending an email to celebratingemily@kngedwrds.com or if you feel comfortable by sharing with others on Facebook (click here). Please also share any picture of videos from the celebration.

Program

Many of the speeches, poems, and dances can be viewed; if the specific part is underlined, it is a clickable link.

Introduction

• Amazing Grace sung by Kristen Donahue (Friend)
• Welcome and Prayer: Nathan Edwards (Family)
• East Boston Camps Introduction: Peter Mahler (Friend)

Life

• Daughter and Sister: Wini and Wayne King (Parents)
• You & Me by Dave Matthews Band
• Wife and Mother: Matt Edwards (Husband)
• The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost read by Sara Fieberg and Megan Blanchard (Friends)
• Friend: Lauren Smith (Friend)
• Faith by Emily Dickinson

Love

• Community Volunteer: Ron Gemma and Leslie Thomas (Friends)
• Let There be Peace on Earth sung by Kristen Donahue (Friend)
• Wife and Mother: Matt Edwards (Husband) and Jane Edwards (Daughter)
• Nothing Gold Can Stay by Robert Frost read by Gwen Edwards (Family)
• Photograph by Ed Sheeran
• Asleep by Emily Dickinson read by Joan Heller (Family)

Legacy

• Daughter and Sister: Wini and Wayne King (Parents)
• For Good from Wicked sung by Lauren Smith and Andrea Watson (Friends)
• Listen to the Mustn'ts by Shel Silverstein read by Gwen Edwards (Family)
• Supermarket Flowers by Ed Sheeran
• Wife and Mother: Matt Edwards (Husband)
• How do We Let A Mother Go read by Becky Chiasson (Friend)

Family Celebration

• Hakuna Matata from The Lion King
• Adult Celebration Dance organized by Becky Chiasson (Friend)
• Children Celebration Dance led by Maia Bliudnikas (Friend)
• In Conclusion: Nathan Edwards (Family)
• Picnic, Games, and Trail Walk

Children's Playgroup

A side activity (or "playgroup" as Emily especially enjoyed attending and leading) for small children was offered during the main ceremony, but as Emily would have liked, children attended the main ceremony.

T-Shirts

In order to show solidarity with Emily and her family, "Emily's Kickline" shirts were distributed for all attendees to wear during the celebration. Click here for more information on the celebration fundraiser and Emily's causes.

Location

The celebration was held at East Boston Camps in Westford, MA. If you would like to visit East Boston Camps, reference the trail map (click here).