Obituary of Louise Swett Edwards

Mary Louise (Swett) Edwards, 95, a longtime resident of Reston, VA, passed away on Wednesday, May 6, 2020 at Emilia Assisted Living in Alexandria, VA where she was affectionately known as “Lou Lou,” “Lois,” “Weezey,” “Granny” and “Mom." Born on December 25, 1924 in Takoma Park, MD she was the daughter of the Walter Whittier and Nelle (Birch) Swett.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Margaret (Swett) Messer and her husband, Thomas Jefferson Edwards, III.

As a little girl, she and her sister would spend Easter Monday on the White House lawn participating in the annual Easter Egg Roll, then hosted by President and Mrs. Coolidge. After earning her diploma from Woodrow Wilson High School in the District of Columbia, Mrs. Edwards studied violin at Oberlin Conservatory of Music graduating with the Class of 1945. As a member of the Takoma Park Presbyterian Church, she and her sister frequently performed at recitals and weddings.

During summers, Mrs. Edwards worked in the Fingerprinting Division of the FBI under J. Edgar Hoover; attended the Ogontz White Mountain Camp for Girls in New Hampshire where she developed an interest in horseback riding; and enjoyed spending time with her extended family in Dutchess County, NY.

She began her career as a music teacher with the Cleveland public school system. Following her marriage in 1956, the couple relocated to Dallas, TX where the family lived for nearly ten years. In the aftermath of President Kennedy’s assassination, Mrs. Edwards had an unexpected opportunity to meet Marina Oswald who was then under protective custody. At the time of the Warren Commission hearings, Mrs. Edwards looked after the two young Oswald children during their mother’s testimony in Washington.

After her marriage ended in divorce, Mrs. Edwards and her young sons relocated to Virginia where they were among the earliest residents of Robert E. Simon’s planned community, Reston. For the next two decades, she worked as a music teacher in the Fairfax County public school system until her retirement. She retained her love of music and animals – especially dogs – her whole life long. 

In retirement, Louise enjoyed traveling including memorable trips abroad to Cape Town to visit her son, Jeffrey, and granddaughter, Clio, as well as annual autumn getaways to Bryce Mountain Resort with family and friends. She also took great pleasure in the many visits she received in Reston from her granddaughter.

As a mom, aunt, and neighbor, she will be remembered by her sons, extended family, and friends for her strength of character and her unconditional love. “She’s the one to help you through all the cuts and bruises, joys and heartbreaks, and teaches us valuable lessons in life.” Her laugh and her smile will be remembered by all who knew her.  She made the lives of others better and she is/will be dearly missed.

Mrs. Edwards is survived by her two sons, Jeffrey T. Edwards of Reston, VA and Jamie W. Edwards (Shawn Barron) of Manassas, VA; her granddaughter, Clio Fels-Edwards of Cape Town, South Africa; her grandson, Jay Edwards of Centreville, VA; her great grandson, Diesel Edwards of Centreville, VA; three nephews, Randy, Barry, and Tracy Messer of New Hampshire, as well as several cousins.