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Edith Orsel Eichner
April 28, 1928 - January 18, 2015
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<div itemprop="description">Edith peacefully took her last breath surrounded by her loving family at the age of 86. Edith had so much love to give right to the very end. We were so blessed. <br /> <br />Edith was predeceased by her loving husband Heinrich Eichner (Artist), her mother and father Else and Oscar Schmerbauch and her eldest brother Siegfried Schmerbauch. Edith will forever be loved and remembered by her family, children: Herbie Eichner, Matthew Eichner, Barbara Eichner-Shaw-Mishio (Larry Mishio), Gabrielle Cleary (John Bushby) and Susie Eichner; grandchildren: Jeremy (Kim) Cleary, Suzy Cleary, Leala Cleary and Jennifer Cleary; great-grandchildren: Hayden, Donnie and Renee, and her beloved companion Eugen Eggers. <br /> <br />Born in Baerenstein Germany, raised in Cranzahl Erzgebirge. Studied Art at the private school of Filix Koenig in Annaberg. Received the German State Youth-Art Award (In design and wood carving/folk art). Later studied at the Academy for Applied Art in the City of Dresden receiving a three year scholarship. Refused to join the Soviet Communist Regime, lost her scholarships, fled to West Germany. Studied at the Muenster School of Art under Professor Th.A. Winde and received a two year scholarship; her work was featured in the Westfalen Spiegel (the mirror of Westfalen). <br /> <br />In 1952 Edith married Heinrich Eichner. They graduated together, set up an art studio in the country of Coerheide near Muenster, Heinrich as a Wood and Metal Sculptor and Edith as Designer and Folk Artist, living mainly on contracts for public buildings and local churches. They immigrated to Canada in 1959 with their first three children. <br /> <br />In the centennial year of 1967, Edith's work was featured in the Canadian Film Board Centennial Movie titled &quot;The Canadian Women of the Last Hundred Years&quot;. She participated in the &quot;Search for Canadian Identity&quot; exhibit launch by the Edmonton Public Art Gallery, receiving many more art recognitions and awards. Hired as an instructor by the Edmonton Public Art Gallery- Children Art Department, taught together with Heinrich at Grant McEwan, at the Extension Department of the University of Alberta, and at Victoria High School in Edmonton, and many more. Joint career came to an abrupt end on Dec 17, 1974 when Heinrich was killed in a motor vehicle accident while they lived in Gibbons, Alberta. Despite tragic loss Edith pursued her Art Career raising five children alone. <br /> <br />Received Culture Grants and sponsorship from Alberta Visual Arts and the German Consulate, supported by several German Art Associations and the City of Wolfenbuettel, the Provincial Museum of Braunschweig-Hannover, for her retrospective Art Exhibit Tour from 1979-1981, Germany. Established private art school in Edmonton in 1982. Earned the Alberta Art Achievement Award - Excellence in Art Education in 1986, participated in Asian-Alberta Art Exchange in Japan with her students, student also winning Muttart Foundation Art award of $1,000.00 which they donated to the Ronald Mac. Donald House. Many of her students graduated and pursued art careers. <br /> <br />In 2002 Edith's biography was entered into Allgemeines Kuenstler Lexicon of Artists of the World, library-archives of the National Art Gallery in Ottawa. also In 2002, exhibited at the Winspear Centre, received the Salute to Excellence-Art Award from the City of Edmonton, and two of her published Allegoric books were added to the National Art Gallery Archives. A series of seven painting titled, &quot;Between Hell and Heaven&quot; is on permanent display in at St. Joseph University in Edmonton. <br /> <br />Edith's volunteer accomplishments are equally or more important to Edith as her professional accomplishments. i.e. Amnesty International activist, spearheaded the Gibbons Water Pipeline, defended senior housing rights, and worked at bringing her community together. One of her favourite memories was of walking with the Jewish people of Edmonton, upholding their dignity and honour. Edith wished to be remembered for the hope she has given, and the kindness she has extended to needy strangers. Always an open door for the poor and to help others in their spiritual journey. Her book, &quot;Bitter or Better- her life story&quot; is not yet to be published. <br /> <br />When Edith was only 24, a German Cultural Magazine featured a story about Edith saying, &quot;one day her life would be legendary.&quot; <br /> <br />In lieu of flowers, Edith requested donations to be made to the missionary work of Susie Eichner in Slave Lake Alberta and the North care of Abundant Life Church. <br /> <br /></div>