Viola Mae Edwards

Viola Mae Edwards, 87, of Bonners Ferry, Idaho, went home to Jesus on April 6, 2019. Vi was born in Maywood, Illinois, the daughter of Walter John and Lola May Gromer, and sister to three brothers. She graduated from Proviso East High School. In 1950 she married Robert Curnock, with whom she had three children: Christine Carol (Bonners Ferry, ID), Bonnie Jean (Rapid City, SD), and Robert John (Waco, TX). They raised their family in Westchester, IL, where Vi was deeply involved in using her musical talents for the Lord at Westchester Bible Church. Vi always said the accordion was “her” instrument. She began her musical journey with accordion lessons at the age of four and advanced rapidly. At age eleven, she competed in the famous Major Bowes’ Original Amateur Hour in New York City and won first place. Later, her talents moved easily to the piano to play both classical and popular music. She could play any song, by ear or with written music. If it was new to her, she could listen to someone sing it, find the key it was in, and play along, learning the melody on the fly. If it had a keyboard, Vi could play it. For many years, Vi taught private lessons in piano and accordion. The small family dining room was sometimes home to an accordion band of several students, or two grand pianos for classical duets. She taught her daughters to play piano when they were quite young, for which they are both grateful. At church, Vi played the piano or organ for worship services, choirs, weddings, meetings, and children’s programs. She felt honored to play the music for her own mother’s funeral. She brought her accordion to all kinds of events: camping trips, sing-alongs, youth group events, kids’ clubs, baptisms, and more. Everywhere people wanted to sing or listen to music, she shared her gift gladly. It was her personal way to worship and honor the Lord. In 1976 Vi and her retired husband moved to Berryville, AR, where she once again shared her musical abilities with local churches. During this time, she welcomed her two grandchildren into the world. Life and people being what they are, Vi and Bob divorced in 1981. Vi moved to Shell Knob in the Missouri Ozarks, where she married Troy Edwards and lived on a cattle farm. Once again she played music for a small church congregation there. Vi enjoyed knitting and a wide variety of crafts. She was energetic and athletic, and she played softball and swam. She drove a school bus and sometimes worked as a waitress. She loved road trips and camping. Every summer she made the long drive to spend quality time with her daughter Chris’s family in North Idaho. Vi was Troy’s caregiver through his battle with cancer, which ended in 2007. In 2011 her daughters helped her sell the farm and move—along with her piano and accordion—to Coeur d’Alene to be near Chris. From 2011 to 2016, she lived an active life in a retirement community. When signs of cognitive loss required different surroundings, she moved into a loving memory care facility in Sandpoint, ID. At both locations, her musical talent turned quickly into weekly sing-alongs, which brought great pleasure to residents and staff. In May 2018, Vi moved in with Chris and her husband Clyde in Bonners Ferry, ID, to receive full-time personal care from her daughter. She lived there near her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, until the Lord called her home in her sleep on a sunny spring morning. Vi’s three children and extended family miss her very much, but they rejoice that she is with the Lord, healed and free of her burdens. She is survived by Clyde and Chris Moore; Bonnie Curnock; Robert and Karen Curnock; granddaughter Jessica Litterell, her husband Jediah, and their five children, Dejeiel, Kyrek, Tigaan, Siwaya, and Brylis; grandson Jason Moore; and Vi’s brother Robert Gromer of Williamsville, NY.