Edwina Helena Bogdan

Edwina H. Bogdan, age 85, of Huntington Woods, Michigan, formerly of Pittsfield, MA, and Bronx, NY, died February 2, 2024 with family by her side. She fought a yearlong battle against ovarian cancer. The children of Edwina wish to thank Evander Childs High School, Bronx, for graduating her at 16 years old so she could be at NY City College in time to meet our Dad at the Newman Club. Mom said she married the smartest guy in school, Al Bogdan, and he says he married the smartest AND prettiest girl. Their four offsprings debate to this day who inherited these qualities. Mom, of course, said we each got it all. The minute mom got her driver’s license, a community activist was born. With kids in tow, she drove all around Pittsfield, MA, delivering campaign flyers and buttons, and volunteering for her causes: the Vietnam War, Civil Rights, her husband’s bid for mayor, and voter registration. We pondered if mom got the ole’ bait and switch when she married dad because in 1967 he quit his cushy defense job to run a local civil rights not-for-profit. Mom was all in, even after dad showed her the cover story with Detroit in flames. “We’re headed here, if I make this career change,” he promised. So she packed and unpacked houses and kids multiple times on the way to that promised land, her home of the last 45 years. North Adams State College, MA, awarded mom a BA after 12 years of her persistence. She was in high demand as a “Kelly Girl”, and, later, as a database developer at GM. In her 70s, mom volunteered as a teachers aide in Oak Park, MI, for kids needing extra help. She taught them to cook, injecting math, science and culture into their lessons. Food was love with our mom, her kitchen her sacred space, and her cupboards a world market, a reflection of a first generation American. Mom prodded dad to enjoy his family more, so in recent years they traveled, with various children and grandkids joining them here and there. She never wanted to leave anybody behind. She loved her husband Al of 65 years. She reveled in children Andrea (Ric), Albert (Larc), Stephen (Pam), and Alyssa (Jarrett). She adored grandchildren, Alex, Coral, and Garrett, and marveled at great great grandchild, Scarlett Edwina. She tormented “little brother” Edward and treasured “baby sister” Ellen. She cherished their children, Kristine, Eric, Trisha, Kara, Kyle, and Frank Jr. and Beth. Feel free to send support to doctorswithoutborders.com or onetreeplanted.com in tribute to Edwina. A Celebration of Life luncheon will take place March 16, 2024, in Berkley, MI.

Edwina Helena Bogdan

December 5, 1938 - February 2, 2024