Edith Snedegar Causey

Edith Snedegar Causey, 91, of Virginia Beach, passed away on June 11 at home surrounded by family, cousins and friends, telling stories and singing songs.

She was born December 13, 1932 in Roanoke, VA, the third child of Oneida Plunket Snedegar and Earl Cherington Snedegar. She was preceded in death by siblings, Earl Snedegar Jr. and Helen Regnier. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Patrick Lewis Causey of Virginia Beach and her nine children: Anne Causey of Charlottesville, VA; Mary Causey Dewey (John) of Augusta, GA; Margaret Wagner (Rick) of Bedford, VA; Patricia Causey Mock (Dan) of Sterling, VA; Lewis Causey (Abby), Karen Causey, and Emily Causey all of Virginia Beach; Caroline Causey of Raleigh, NC; and Michael Causey (Ginger) of Rincon, GA. Also surviving are 14 grandchildren: Elise, Johnny, Tommy, Joey, Gabby, Simon, Sophie, Jinah, Samantha, Michael Jr, Sam, Lewis, Jacob and Jade, and two great grandchildren, Brad and James. Also surviving is her sister-in-law Elizabeth Ferreira (Frank) of Virginia Beach, and special nieces Susan McKimmy (Ed) of Roanoke, VA, and Sherry Sunthimer of Arizona and many wonderful cousins, nieces and nephews.

She graduated from Madison College when it was a female teaching college and majored in music education. She could play many instruments, including the piano, flute and was a drummer in a college band. In 1954 she moved to Norfolk, VA to teach music at Broad Creek Village Elementary School.

During teacher training at Little Creek Elementary, a tall handsome teacher caught her eye and she was delighted to discover that he lived in his family home two doors down at Chic’s Beach. Her roommate Nancy invited him over to play bridge and though Edith didn’t play the game, she joined in when they needed a fourth. They dated for two years and when Patrick popped the question her response was: where? Patrick left for army service overseas and 18 months later when he returned, he called her up to discover she was still single. This time when he asked, she said yes and the bride carried wild violets picked by the wedding party.

Active in her Catholic faith for many years, she helped to establish Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Virginia Beach. For years she served as the chief officer of election duties at Holland Elementary School and volunteered as a master gardener at the historic Francis Land House in the late 1980s and 1990s. She was an instrumental force in teaching her children to care about wildlife, originating the idea of camping as the family vacation, a tradition still carried out by most of the children. Two summers ago, she even went on a camping trip at Grayson Highlands State Park at 89 years old.

She was an exceptionally kind and loving mother and wife. Kind to neighbors, friends and strangers alike. Edith had the best sense of humor, even in her last days – joking with nurses in the hospital and with her children after arriving home and losing her voice. We will miss her and her mom jokes and puns terribly!

There will be a funeral mass and Celebration of Life on July 13 at 11 a.m. at Holy Spirit Parish. In lieu of flowers, please send a contribution to Birthright of Norfolk or the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia.