A week ago I lost my 101 yr old Grandma to Covid.

Unlike many who are dying, she had a long life, but I’m still devastated to lose her.

I don’t want her to be another stat. So here’s a thread about some of the things I’ve learnt from the extraordinary life of Edith Redstone.

TENACITY: Born in the Bronx, Edith came of age in the Great Depression & had to work to support her family who’d lost everything. Unable to afford college, she did an engineering degree at night, while working in the women’s clothes department of Sacs 34th Street.

COURAGE: After marrying my Grandpa, an Englishman, she moved to the UK during WW2 and got herself a job at the American Office of War Information. Part of her work involved flying over war-devasted Germany dropping leaflets with humanitarian information.

BE WELCOMING: Edith had children, my mum and uncle, and created a household where everyone was welcome. Since her death we’ve had messages from people all over the world who stayed there at difficult times and said it changed their lives.

BE MULTIPLE: Grandma had many different incarnations. She was a shop assistant, an engineer, an intelligence officer, a pollster, a gallerist, a charity trustee, a mother and an author. As the world changed, so did she.

IT’S NEVER TOO LATE: Grandma only started writing in her early 70s. She went on to co-author Growing Old Disgracefully, which sparked a nationwide network of local groups that still exists. She did global book tours & TV appearances. She created a whole new career post 70.

YOU DON’T HAVE TO SACRIFICE YOUR DESIRES TO BE LOVED: lots of the time Grandma did what she damned well pleased, during eras when that really wasn’t the done thing for females (argubly it’s still not). And she still left behind a huge loving family...

STAY CURIOUS: Grandma constantly looked outwards. Weeks before she died she asked my cousin what music young people were listening to now. She started using an iPad in her 90s. She was addicted to news. She was so open to discovering new things and being connected to the world.

When asked the secret to longevity, Grandma would reply, “keep moving.” When people told her to take care, she’d reply, “I have other plans.” She was such a blazing, inspirational force. I’m going to miss her so much.