Edith Lu Ewbank

Edith Lu Ewbank, 90, passed away on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, following a courageous battle with dementia. She spent her final years at Jennings Terrace in Aurora, where she received exceptional care and compassion. Edith considered them to be good friends who would just come and sit and talk with her.

Edith was born on June 9, 1936, in Hammond, Indiana, to Eugene and Nellie (Downer) Staley. She was the youngest of six children and the family's only daughter.

Edith began her career at Sinclair Oil Refinery, where she met the love of her life, Richard "Dick" Ewbank. The couple married on March 2, 1957, in East Chicago, Indiana, and shared 58 wonderful years together before Dick's passing in 2015.

She later worked for Richard Wilcox, where she managed the office until her retirement. After retiring, Edith and Dick enjoyed spending their winters in Florida and their summers in Oswego, Illinois, living with their daughter and surrounded by their children and grandchildren.

Above all, Edith will be remembered for her unwavering devotion to her family. She was always there when she was needed and was known for her remarkable talent with a sewing machine, creating countless treasured items for those she loved.

Edith and Dick shared a passion for travel and adventure. Together, they explored 45 states aboard their Gold Wing motorcycle and later traveled extensively throughout the world. Germany held a special place in their hearts, as it was where Dick had been stationed during his military service in the Air Force. Over the years, they enjoyed many memorable trips with family, including travels with their daughter Denise and grandson Nathan to Germany. One of their final grand adventures together was a return to Europe, where they enjoyed another river cruise with Denise and her husband shortly before Dick's passing.

Edith is survived by her daughter and caretaker Denise M. Brown Springer (Craig); her son, Eugene Ewbank (Christina); and her grandchildren, Nathan Brown (Christie), Nicole Hartman (Mark), and Derek "DJ" Brown, Richard Ewbank (Missy), Katrina Arroyo (Alfred), Matthew Welch (Kamara), Nick Welch (Riley) She was also blessed with two great-grandchildren, Cooper and Miles who gave her great joy with every visit thru out her journey back in Illinois. She looked forward to their ice cream and cupcake time along with kicking a ball back and forth outside.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Richard "Dick" Ewbank, and her son, James Ewbank, whom she missed dearly.

In accordance with Edith's wishes, there will be no funeral or wake. Instead, her family will honor her life with a private Celebration of Life in California in early September 2026.

Edith's love, strength, generosity, and dedication to her family will be cherished and remembered always.