Edith I Cayot

Resourceful, hardworking, and faithful, Edith Irene Cayot had seen incredible changes in the world during her lifetime, but the one thing she made sure remained constant was family. She knew everything around her would pass into the next fad, but she consistently stood by her loved ones, no matter what they were facing. She had learned as a young girl that sacrifice was part of love, so it was natural for her to put the needs of others before her own. She was intentional about building a strong, safe family unit and creating memories that would help to hold them up when they had to weather rough times.

The Roaring '20s was a time of respite between World War I and the Great Depression. People were optimistic and a spirit of adventure ruled the day. It was during this rowdy, boisterous decade that Edith Nix joined her equally energetic family.

Edith was born in Washington Township in Whitley County, Indiana, on February 4, 1924. She was the daughter of Aloysius J. and Rosa (Eker) Nix. Growing up with ten other kids on the family farm, Edith quickly learned the value of hard work and the importance of all the jobs that needed to be done, even those that weren't appealing. Everyone had a job to do, and sometimes Edith's job was to catch and kill the chickens that her mother was planning to fry up for dinner.

Edith attended Washington Center High School in Columbia City, and graduated as the valedictorian of the Class of 1942. It had been just a few months since Japan had bombed Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, drawing the U.S. into World War II. The war was heavy on everyone's mind, and during her commencement speech, Edith showed her heart for her country and the power she believed its people held. She encouraged her peers to pursue "whatever helps to make the nation better and nobler, whatever serves to elevate the people of the land to any higher plane of thought and life, whatever in any way makes America - or any portion of it better worth the living in."

The war dragged on for four years, and Edith spent a good deal of time praying for the war to end. When Edith heard the announcement that it was over in 1945, she, like so many others, could not contain her excitement. She ran into her bedroom and started jumping up and down on her bed until a slat broke and the mattress collapsed.

One evening, Edith attended a Catholic New Years Eve social and it was there that her life changed forever. She met a young man named Harold Cayot and agreed to see him again. They fell in love and exchanged vows on May 8, 1948, at St. Catherine's Catholic Church. She and Harold lived in Fort Wayne for a couple of years, then moved back to Washington Township where they raised their six children. She remained in that home until just a couple of months before she died.

The Cayots spent many wonderful seasons at their cottage on Lake Webster. Those hours spent swimming, fishing, and laughing over the campfire were wonderful memories for the whole family. It didn't matter where they were, though; the most important thing to Edith was that her family was together and that she supported them in every way she could.

Edith was no stranger to hard work. She raised a vegetable garden every year to help feed the family, freezing much of the produce to last the winter. She sewed many of the kids' clothes and found time to make home cooked meals that made a lasting impression on her family, especially her amazing mashed potatoes, cookies, and her renowned "Edith's Apple Pies." She worked outside the home, too, first for eight years at General Electric in Fort Wayne, then at the 9 & 14 Restaurant, and lastly as a teacher's aide at Washington Center School for eleven years.

Edith's faith was important to her. She was a faithful member of St. Catherine's Catholic Church Nix Settlement, as well as the Harmony Club and the Rosary Sodality. For Edith, faith and family were inseparable and she made sure her family knew that she prayed for them every day. She lit candles of prayer at church for them and was so faithful about it that more than once her grandchildren were heard to say, "Phew! Grandma's prayers got me out of that mess!"

In order to stay up-to-date on community happenings, she was a member of the townships Willing 20 Home Extension Club and of the Silver Striders, a walking club for senior citizens. She loved playing cards, especially euchre. Most people outside of the family were unaware of Edith's love for sports, but her kids and grandkids knew they could ask her if they needed a sports tidbit. She loved watching football and as a true Hoosier she was never far from the TV if IU basketball was on. She used some of that TV time to work on labors of love, crocheting an afghan for every child, grandchild, and great grandchild. To keep her writing skills sharp and crisp, Edith would practice writing her curly-q exercises all of the time on a note pad. Her talent may have passed with her, but she left her family many beautiful examples.

She wanted to make sure that the grandchildren had fond memories to carry with them as they grew up. She hosted a big Easter egg hunt at her house every year and then they would braid palm leaves. Each summer before school started, she took the grandkids to Pizza Hut and then to the General Store in Grabill for a sweet treat. There was nothing quite as special to her as those sweet grandbabies.

Edith's absence is already felt deeply, but her own words from so long ago can encourage her loved ones today. " Let us, as we separate, go forth with...determination;" the determination to carry on her legacy of faith, selfless commitment, and the satisfaction found in loving well.

Edith died on Tuesday, March 17, 2015 at The Towne House in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She is survived by her children, Thomas M. Cayot of Euless, Texas, Cheryl A. (Thomas) Quandt of Fort Wayne, Janel M. (Matthew) Sprunger of Fort Wayne, Marcia R. (Phil) Wright of Fort Wayne, Patricia L. (Mike DeMarco) Cayot of Houston, Texas and Dennis D. (Julie) Cayot of Louisville, Kentucky; a brother, Adolph "Bud" Nix of Fort Wayne; fifteen grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and three step-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harold L. Cayot; three sisters, Helen Nix, Marcella Bugert and Agnes Starost; and six brothers, Richard, Sylvester, Raymond, Eugene, Kenneth and Alfred Nix.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 22, 2015, from 2 to 5 p.m. with a Prayer Vigil Service starting at 1:30 p.m. at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9 a.m. on Monday, March 23, 2015, at St. Catherine's Catholic Church, Nix Settlement, with Father Dale Bauman officiating. Burial will follow at St. Catherine's Catholic Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be given in Mrs. Cayot's memory to Masses to St. Catherine's Catholic Church or Parkview Home Health Care & Hospice.