Despite living an ocean away, Edith was a huge presence in my life and the lives of all her grandchildren. From summer holidays in Geneva (where there would invariably be someone new staying with her) to her visits to Canada over Christmas (and all of the chocolate she’d bring with her), visits with Edith set the rhythm of my life. Whenever I see my aunt, uncles or cousins, the question always comes up: when are you going to Geneva?

Edith has a gravitational pull to her. It’s not right to call her a matriarch, because she was too egalitarian for that. But among the grandchildren, it’s safe to say she had an elevated status. She always treated us as individuals, as equals. She was quick with a joke or a laugh or a hug. And we absolutely adored her for it.

Some of my most treasured memories are of conversations around her dinner table, discussing issues of the day. Edith had a rich knowledge of history and shared her values with us. I learned so much of what it means to fight for equality and social justice over a glass of wine and delicious cheese.

Edith’s hospitality is legendary. Whenever I visited, there would be countless folks stopping by for a coffee or a meal, people from different generations, geographies and walks of life. She always opened her doors to her grandchildren’s friends and partners, including one notable time when I was backpacking through Europe with a friend in 2013. We stayed with Edith in between legs of the journey, Edith always insisting we take her bed while she stayed on the couch. Once, we had a few hours in Geneva between travelling from France to Italy and Edith took us out for lunch by the train station. Another time, we drove her car to Montreux for a day trip and I had my first experience driving without power steering. She always joked that the car kept her fit, since it required so much arm strength.

During our last conversation, I told her we were going to visit in June.  I jokingly told her that she needed to stay alive until then so she could meet my son (now 5 months old). She made no such promises, but said she wanted to. We have had many video calls since he was born (not enough, never enough) and she always loved seeing him on screen, loved hearing about his developments, no matter how mundane. That’s how she was with all of us — so full of curiosity and love.

Edith once told me: “the only thing a parent has to do is raise good citizens.” This encapsulates her values of equality and justice. I have learned so much from Edith over the years and I hope to continue to embody the values she instilled in me.