Edna M. March, age 95, died peacefully on April 20, 2016, in St. Petersburg, Florida. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Edna was the eldest of eight children. She served her country in World War II as a Navy WAVE. As Communications Specialist 1st Class, she spent 5 years working as a cryptographer at the Naval Security Station in Washington, D.C. It was there that she met her pilot husband, Col. (USAF) Larry March, on a blind date. That date was the beginning of an epic romance, and a marriage that lasted 65 years. In that time she raised a family, was a Red Cross Gray Lady civilian volunteer, lived in Iran and Turkey, and traveled all over the world.
She is survived by her husband, Col. (USAF) Larry March of St. Petersburg, Florida; son Larry B. March and wife Ava March of St. Petersburg, Florida; daughter Sylvia Hansgen and husband Rusty Hansgen of Waco, Texas; Laurin Griffith and husband Sam Griffith of St. Augustine, Florida; Andrea March of Austin, Texas; six grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
Edna will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery with military honors.
Friends and family are invited to share a memory or condolence and sign her guestbook below.
To all of my cousins I am very sorry to hear of Aunt Edna’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
God Bless you Aunt Edna, as you become an Angel watching over your family. Uncle Larry and my cousins, prayers and sorrows from my family to yours.
A wonderful person, wife, mother and WAVE. Our thoughts are with the family as we remember a long, well lived life.
My deepest condolences to you and your family on the loss of your dear mother, Laurin. May all your good memories sustain you through this difficult time and beyond. Love and hugs, dear friend.
She was truly an impressive and inspirational person. Beauty, brains, and grit. Our deepest sympathies to the whole family. So sorry for your loss.
Dear Andrea, Larry and family,
I was so sorry to hear about Edna’s death and wanted you to know that I am thinking of you all at this time of loss. I remember Andrea and Colwyn telling stories about their visits to Larry and Edna and how much they enjoyed seeing both. Edna was obviously a talented, brilliant and beautiful woman, a dear wife, mother and grandmother who lived a long life of service and love..I know you must be so proud of her and that you will miss her greatly.. Please accept my sincere condolences. Jean Rothenberg
What an exceptional lady! I wish I had known her. Knowing her brave and beautiful daughter Andrea gives me a good idea of Mrs. Marsh’s many charms. I celebrate the life she enjoyed and the many contributions she made. It is always to soon to lose one so beloved. My heart is with you, the family she loved so dearly. 💖
“March,” not “Marsh.” Sorry for the fumble-fingered typo! ðŸ˜
Dearest Lauri,
I am truly saddened by her passing. I loved her visits to my home in Tampa while the Col. was at the golf course. We enjoyed lunch every week and had very lovely conversations. She was a soft spoken person and so petite one would think of her being fragile but in fact she was a super strong woman with a sense of humor. I once asked her the secret of a good marriage and she said “ear plugs”. Edie was one elegant, beautiful and classic “true” lady. I greatly admired her and felt honored to have known her. Just thinking of her makes me smile and gives me comfort.
To the March family,
What a full and wonderful life Edna had! She was truly the epitome of the greatest generation! No matter her age, or yours, it is so difficult to lose your mother. I am thinking of you all in your loss.l
During WWII our father, Lieutenant Irwin Nye, was part of the Army organization in DC, which later became Army Security Agency, doing the same kind of cryptography work. Perhaps their paths crossed. If you think of it and can let me know I may be able to come to Arlington for Edna’s service to honor her. My husband and I live just two hours away. Final resting place for three out of our four parents is at Arlington. I think your Dad may have met my parents when Sylvia, Kathy and I were very, very young. I have a brief memory of a holiday dinner at our Long Island home.
Thinking of Mrs March always makes me smile! She welcomed me into her home and treated me like another daughter. Loved her smile! My condolences to the Colonel and to you, Andi-san.
To my cousins Laurin, Andi, Sam, and Sylvia and to my Uncle Larry I send my deepest condolences. I always thought my Aunt Edna had style, grace and beauty, as well as patience and fortitude- an amazing combination. Ever since I can remember my mother told stories of her and Edna through thick and thin in the Depression (mostly thin), school days, teenage years, the War….My mom still tells these stories as though they were yesterday. Rest in peace Aunt Edna. You all are in our thoughts and prayers.
As a childhood (and lifelong) friend of Andrea’s, I still remember her Mother as always being so kind to me and welcoming in their home. She had such a quiet gentleness to her that made an impression on me even as a youngster. Her memory will live on in her family in particular. I’m so
sorry for your loss.
Sending love and support to my good friend, Andi.
Mother’s are so very special and not everyone has a good one.
Treasure her memory always.
She gave you her best!
xoxo
Susan
To the Family of Edna I send my heartfelt condolences. I took my parents Harold and Dolores Linnert to visit
Edna and Larry when they lived in St Petersburg in 1995. My father Harold grew up in Becks Run with Edna and her sister Evelyn. She was a gracious hostess and had a wonderful sense of humor and a presence of style unmatched.
Please celebrate her life well lived. Bless you all.
Sorry to hear of aunt Edna’s passing. I am Harry Macher’s second son. Remember her and cousins living in Arlington, VA Back in the 60’s. Jeff