Edna Blanche Richmond of Rehoboth left us on March 23, 2025, at the grand old age of 96. Born on March 1, 1929, in her grandparents’ home in Rehoboth, she was the daughter of Harold Thomas Richmond and Amy Martha (Pierce) Richmond.
The middle of seven children she was the sister of the late Harold T. Richmond Jr., Martha H. Butler, Edward C. Richmond, Barbara A. Richmond, and Ralph J. Richmond. Her youngest brother Russell L. Richmond of Rehoboth survives her.
From her earliest job at Stork Diaper Service right after high school graduation to her retirement from A & Z Hayward at the age of 72, Edna was a career woman. Whether as a delivery truck driver, salesclerk, dance instructor, insurance adjuster, police dispatcher, jewelry worker, or antique shop owner, she put her many talents to use in a varied and lifelong career as a working woman.
You could often find Edna near the beach, any beach. Ocean Grove, the old cabanas at Barrington Beach, Colt State Park, Wells Beach, the campground at Scusset Beach were all known for sightings of Edna as she excitedly admired her favorite bird – the sea gull.
And travel she did! Trips “out West” in the van with Andy and a two-month cross country RV trip with Uncle Ed and Aunt Blanche were the source of many happy memories and an abundance of unidentified photographs (Where is this? Who is this?). We almost lost her a few times on our hiking trips to NH, but she always found her way back.
Edna was the proud mother of four children: Cynthia Battle Kirwin (Christopher) of Newport, Guy R. Battle and Barbara Boulay Savary (Rus) of Rehoboth, and Edward W. Boulay III of Manchester, NH., all of whom will miss her vibrant presence and willingness to go anywhere and do anything. Her three beloved grandchildren Thomas F. Savary, Daniel R. Savary, and Connor E. Boulay will remember her patient advice and trips to Wachusett Mtn. for ski lessons (Thank you Grandma). Edna also leaves many nieces and nephews whom she loved and followed on Facebook.
She was preceded in death by her four (yes four) former husbands: Richard C. Battle, Edward W. Boulay Jr., Albert Jobe, and Andre Brunelle.
Our sincere thanks to all the very kind and thoughtful people at Accent Care Home Health and AdviniaCare/South Point Rehab Center who cared for and loved her during her last months.
Visiting hours will be Sunday, March 30, at the J.H. WILLIAMS & CO. FUNERAL HOME, 210 Taunton Avenue, East Providence, RI, from 4-6 pm. A service will be held on Monday, March 31, at 11 am at the funeral home followed by burial at Greenwood Cemetery in Rehoboth and a reception at the American Legion Post #302, Bay State Road, Rehoboth.
