Tuesday, July 29, 2008

'Miss Edie'

They called her 'Miss Edie' at NBC 10 in Philadelphia.
Now, we will all miss Edie - especially those of us who knew her, loved her, and counted her as a friend.
Edie Huggins brought grace, dignity, humanity, kindness, caring and a sense of total professionalism to everything she touched, everywhere she went.
And she touched the hearts of so many Philadelphians over a long, distinguished, trailblazing career. In the cutthroat world of local TV news Edie sure as hell knew how to compete. But she always played by the rules, she had a smile for everyone, she had time for everyone and she never raised her voice.
Edie Huggins passed away today after a prolonged illness.
You can read what I wrote about Edie on this blog last December by clicking here.
And you can read Edie's complete story and a tribute to her at NBC 10 by clicking here.
Edie dedicated much of her professional life to community service and to being a strong advocate for many causes, as she served on many boards throughout the region.
Edie is survived by her two devoted adult children, Hastings Edward, a complex engagement manager with IBM and a daughter, Laurie Linn, a national television producer in Los Angeles and a marketing specialist for Broadcast Advertising in Baltimore and Philadelphia.
"So I feel like when I walk back into this town that I'm just one of many of her children. I don't know that I could give a testimonial that would be anymore insightful then anyone else that could say they loved her," Hastings Huggins, Edie's son, said.
She rubbed elbows with everyone from mayors to governors to celebrities -- she had access to them all. But Edie was most inspired by the lives and stories of the many unknown, hard working people of the Delaware Valley, ordinary people doing extraordinary deeds.
I was so, so proud to know this extraordinary lady.
In a business where personalities come and go and authenticity is often in short supply, Edie Huggins was the real deal.
A memorial service for Edie Huggins will be held on Aug. 5 at 7 p.m., at Bright Hope Baptist Church, 12 Street and Cecil B. Moore Avenue in Philadelphia. The service is open to the public.

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