EDWARDS, Thelma Bessie *

The Arizona Republic 3/18/2010 Edwards, Thelma Bessie (nee Tessler), 103, passed away on March 13, 2010. Thelma Tessler was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada on December 23, 1906. She graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Arts degree and went on to do graduate work at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles. She received a Masters of Social Work from McGill School of Social Work, Montreal, Canada. Miss Tessler was a social worker for Jewish Family and Children's Service in Winnipeg until 1950. She was responsible for bringing young Jewish orphans to Winnipeg from Germany. She saved these boys from the Holocaust, and was able to find homes for them. They were adopted by Winnipeg families and went on to live successful lives. Her "boys" were forever indebted to her, remained in touch throughout her life, and celebrated with her on many occasions. In 1950 Miss Tessler married Joseph Edwards and moved to the United States. Together they moved from Wisconsin to Pennsylvania to Louisiana, and settled in Florida. Mrs. Edwards always worked in her field. Her husband died in Miami in 1958, but Mrs. Edwards remained there and continued as a social worker into her early eighties. In 1995 Mrs. Edwards moved to Phoenix to be closer to her family. Mrs. Edwards is survived by her two nieces, Nancy Hollenberg (Dr. Murray Hollenberg) and Janis Harris (Dr. Benjamin Harris) and stepchildren Tom Edwards (Judy) and JoAnne Abbamonto. Her family is grateful for her excellent care at Golden Swan Manor and to Hospice of the Valley. A graveside funeral service was held Sunday, March 14, 2010 at Congregation Beth Israel Cemetery.