Grand Rapids Mourns the Loss of Philanthropist Edith Blodgett

Actors’ Theatre sends our condolences to the Blodgett family. Edith was a long time supporter of the arts and community of Grand Rapids.

From www.mlive.com:

BLODGETT EDITH IRWIN Grand Rapids Edith Irwin Blodgett, aged 95, passed away Monday April 2, 2012. Edith was born September 29, 1916 the daughter of Dr. Thomas Charles and Grace Irwin of Grand Rapids, MI. Edith was born and raised in Grand Rapids, MI, where her father was the first chief of staff of Blodgett Hospital and her mother held many offices in community service. After graduating from Grand Rapid Junior College Edith attended Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School in Boston, which prepared her for her first position in NYC, where she met and married William Ferris. Following WWII, Edith and Bill moved to Albertson and then Syosset, Long Island where she worked as secretary to the English Department of C.W. Post College (NY) as well as teaching piano. Always a passionate supporter/lover of classical music, she served as first President of Syosset Symphony (NY). After being widowed she married John W. Blodgett Jr. and returned to GR where she was a member of the Grand Rapids Symphony Board for several decades. She continued the legacy of JWB’s philanthropy by supporting The New World Quartet, The Blodgett Artists series at Harvard, ongoing support for the GRSO (Visiting Artists Series, sponsorship of percussion chair, etc.), Camp Blodgett, D.A. Blodgett/Jones Home, Blue Lake Arts camp, Grand Valley piano scholarships, Aquinas College, The Civic Theatre, Blodgett Hospital Nursing School, Planned Parenthood, and many other worthy organizations. (…)