Edith Reed Catlin of Charlottesville, Va. died peacefully on Dec. 30, 2022. She was 98. For 64 years, she was the devoted wife of Avery Catlin, her sweetheart and best friend, who predeceased her in 2011.

Born on May 25, 1924, she grew up in Tuxedo Park, N.Y. and moved to Charlottesville with Avery after World War II to live at Thimble Farm, their beloved home for 56 years.

Edie started coming to the Island during the summer at age two and maintained the tradition until her mid-nineties. She passed on her love of Edgartown to her children and grandchildren, who continue to share the Fuller street house and its magic.

Over the course of her long life, one of her greatest joys was cruising with Avery on their sailboat for months at a time, especially around the Vineyard and Hope Town in the Bahamas. She was a master gardener and rosarian and spent many happy hours tending her plants and roses both at Thimble Farm in Charlottesville and at her garden in Edgartown. She was indebted to Alfred Perry, Paul Brewer and Dan DeCastro for their care of her Edgartown home and garden when she wasn’t there.

She was also an accomplished artist. Of all her possessions, her paintings are what her grandchildren cherish the most. Her family includes her son Avery (Chip) Catlin and his partner Carol; daughter, Edith (Winx) Lawrence and her husband Fran; daughter Beverly Catlin and her partner Dimi; and son Frederic Catlin and his wife Alice. She was Gaga, a loving grandmother, to Jack and Reed Catlin; Jenna, Meredith and Avery Lawrence; Jessica and Devin Catlin; and to a delightful bevy of 10 great-grandchildren. She kept in close touch with her children and grandchildren via visits, phone calls and emails and, while enormously proud of each one, never hesitated to offer them advice.

She will be remembered by all who knew her for her warm smile, her kindness and generosity to others, and her devotion to her family. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends.

A private service will be held in the spring.

Memorial contributions may be made to Westminster Canterbury Employee Education Fund, 250 Pantops Mountain Road, Charlottesville, VA 22911.

Condolences may be sent to the family at hillandwood.com.