Edna Isabell Ried Kofoed died Saturday (Dec. 22, 2012) at Westfield Memorial Hospital in Westfield, N.Y. She was born on Oct. 31, 1910 in Westfield, N.Y. to the late Herman and Jessie Haynes Ried.
When Edna was five-years-old, her family moved to Ripley, N.Y. She went to the Union School and in 1929, she graduated from Ripley Union High School. She then attended Fredonia Normal School, graduating in 1934. Edna's first teaching job was in a one-room schoolhouse in Volusia where she had 20 or 30 students.
On Oct. 18, 1941 she married the love of her life, Howard S. Kofoed. Together, they operated the Kofoed Farm for many years on East Sidehill Road in Ripley, N.Y.
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In 1942, Edna became Ripley's very first Kindergarten teacher when the district instituted a half day kindergarten. In June, 1973, she retired after 41 years of teaching. Mr. and Mrs. Kofoed had no children of their own but considered every one of her students as their own. She was a Teacher Never to be Forgotten!
Mrs. Kofoed was a member of the old School Belle's Club.
At the age of 17, Edna joined the Ripley Presbyterian Church, sang in the choir, taught Sunday school, and was an active member for 83 years.
In addition to her parents and husband, Ho-ward, who died on June 25, 1998 at the age of 87, Edna was preceded in death by her brother-in-law, Stanley Kofoed and sisters-in-law Anna K. Bentley and Mildred Testrake.
She is survived by her niece Lucille Kofoed Sheedy of Lockport, N.Y.; nephews Roger (Marge) Testrake of Ripley, N.Y. and Richard (Peggy) Testrake of Erie, Pa. as well as several great and great-great nieces and nephews. Her special caregiver, Lee Sharie, and relief caregiver, Lori Potthoff, and her faithful canine companion, Tanner, also survive Edna.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Service at the Ripley First Presbyterian Church on Thursday (Dec. 27, 2012) at 1 p.m. and may call at the Mathews Funeral Home at 104 West Main Street, Ripley from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday (Dec. 26, 2012).
Donations in Edna's memory may be made to the establishment of the Edna Isabell Ried Kofoed Scholarship Fund through the Chautauqua Community Foundation.
