Edna Coneybear

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution has received word of the death of retiree Edna Coneybear on February 5, in Falmouth.  She was 92.

Edna was born December 25, 1916, in the Bronx, NY, and grew up in New Rochelle, NY. Edna attended the Phoenix Art Institute of New York City. She was the daughter of Walter Willey and Florence Troman Willey.

Prior to living in Woods Hole, Edna lived in at least 10 different states. Edna moved her family to Woods Hole in 1969 after spending summers in the area. She worked in the WHOI Graphics Department as a graphic artist from 1970 to 1979.  She retired in October of 1979. She was a member of the Falmouth Artists Guild. She was known for her lovely watercolors, and creative stitchery. Edna’s artwork was frequently on display at the Artist’s Guild and other local venues. She loved swimming in Vineyard Sound and rode her bicycle to work whenever possible.

Edna leaves her sister, Adele W. Slone, of Atlanta, GA, and brother, Walter J. Willey, of San Dimas, CA. She was a wonderful mother to Adele C. Huestis, of Roswell, GA, the late Diana C. Rickards, Bill Coneybear, of New Orleans, LA, and Martha E. Coneybear, of Wakefield, R.I., and many wonderful friends.

Edna is survived by eleven grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren. Her family has fond memories of her life and will miss her presence. The family plans a summertime celebration of her wonderful life. No services were held. At her request, Edna’s body was donated to Tufts University to further medical education