IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Jenny Marie Edgar
Kaiserslautern Germany Serviceman’s Stake
April 14, 1984
Jenny Marie Edgar was born 20 July 1946 in Baker, Oregon, USA. She was the second born of eight children. Jenny spoke often of her family; her mother and father whom she adored, and her brothers and sisters. She had a special relationship with each one. She grew up in a loving home where values and Christian principles were taught. Jenny’s mother was a tremendous influence in her life. Jenny’s testimony of the gospel sprouted from her mother’s and grew to be a guiding light for those she knew and loved. It grew to be the mainstay of her life.
Jenny and Scott met and experienced an eventful courtship which resulted in their marriage on 15 April 1969 in the Oakland Temple. At that time, they were married and sealed as husband and wife for all time and all eternity. Thus, beginning their lives together. To this union of 15 years were born seven beautiful children: Heather, Melissa, Scotty, William, Amanda, Marie, and Samuel. Through the deep and growing love that Scott and Jenny shared, they loved their children. They taught them and nurtured them. They taught them principles of life, and they taught them the gospel. Jenny had already begun to instill in Marie a testimony of the gospel.
Jenny cared endlessly for her family and her friends. Countless friends. Jenny was a doer. She has had many different callings in the church, allowing her to utilize the talents the Lord had given her. She has taught Sunday School and Primary. She has served in the Presidency of the Young Women’s organization and the Primary. She has had several stake callings, including Homemaking Counselor in the Stake Relief Society. Her present calling was that of the Stake Primary President here, a responsibility she took very seriously …one that she loved dearly. Jenny loved children and was genuinely concerned for them. When she was about her Father’s work, she was happy.
Her greatest joy in this life was her beloved Scott and their children. She gave them her all. She loved them, mothered them, befriended them, and prepared them well. Scott said the other evening, “Jenny has taught us well; we will be alright.” Taught them well; indeed, each of her children know who they are, they each have great self-worth, they have goals, they have courage, strength, and faith. I witnessed these traits many times over the last two years. But most especially after Jenny’s death. I watched them reach out for each other and hold fast to those things their mother taught them. Indeed, she has taught them well.
Jenny had not been well since the latter part of her last pregnancy. She experienced a very difficult delivery with Sam. Yet, her life was spared when there had been questions regarding that. We talked about this at length. At the most difficult part of her delivery, she actually stepped out of her body and watched as the doctors worked feverishly over her. She asked the Lord to please not take her then. She wasn’t ready. And, she returned to her body …her life was spared. For the past ten months, she has not been well. As best friends, it was not unusual for us to spend a lot of time together and we shared many things. She was very concerned about her health and the well-being of her family. She and Scott had just recently had a conversation about what to do in the event something should happen to her. Eight weeks ago, Jenny called and asked my husband and me to fast with them. They came to our home that evening. Scott and Rick administered a blessing to her. The blessing was very specific: “the Lord loved her, He was watching over her, and she was in His constant care.” For the following eight weeks, Jenny was free from the pain and sickness she had been experiencing. She got her energy back and was really on top of things. That relief came to her through the Priesthood blessing. I can remember as if it were yesterday. After her blessing, we all stood there hugging each other, expressing our love for the Gospel and each other, and Jenny smiling said, “Well, it’s in the Lord’s hands now, and I’m not going to worry anymore.” Jenny sensed she was going to be called home. She was ready.
I would like now to share something priceless to me. Jenny wrote beautiful poetry, and this expresses her faith and her joy in the gospel and our friendship.
Angels Words
At last, the time is nigh –
He is born so that I may taste
the Joy of Resurrection –
And hold within my heart
the desire for perfection and Eternal Life.
I was there – I heard the plan – it is good –
And you (if you could lift the veil of forgetfulness placed lovingly upon your mind)
You would remember, too!
The Joy! We understood! This brought us closer to our Godhood!
I know you cannot remember this time –
But the Plan is ours – it’s yours and mine.
“Glory to God in the Highest.”
Jenny has an important calling now to fulfill. She has been called home that she may serve our Father in Heaven to a fuller degree.
As I prepared Jenny’s temple clothes for her burial, I was reminded of our last trip to the temple together; it was a big session. Jenny was helping as a veil worker. I was one of the last to go up, and as I walked to the front, I was directed towards Jenny. We held hands and stood there for just a brief moment, caught up in our mutual faith and love for each other.
That’s the way I see Jenny today, in her white dress, greeting, smiling, loving, serving. She is about her Father’s work. She is happy. What a sweet peace comes to me as I miss her. I close my eyes, and I see my friend.
I was directed to my scriptures the other day and my book fell open to Doctrine & Covenants 50:5. Highlighted before me, I found this scripture:
“But blessed are they who are faithful and endure, whether in life or in death, for they shall inherit eternal life.”
And I know as well as I know that I stand here this day, we will be together again. Our friendship will go on for eternity, …it will stand the test of time.
This I leave with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen
Offered by Jannelle LaFontaine
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