Grace Marie Edwards

Grace Marie Edwards, 63, of Bridgeport, IL, passed away on February 18, 2024. Born on July 8, 1960, in Hammond, IN, Grace's journey through life was as vibrant and colorful as the myriad of hobbies and interests that filled her days. Her early life in the Chicagoland area was filled with the joy of music and creativity. A graduate of Burnham High School, she possessed a voice that could echo the soulful tones of Loretta Lynn, often filling her home with song and occasionally taking her talent to karaoke stages. She complemented her love for music with the occasional strum of her guitar.

Her life was a tapestry woven with the threads of other various passions. Grace was a craftswoman at heart, her skilled hands creating intricate crocheted afghans and elaborate ceramics-from festive Christmas trees to whimsical Mardi Gras masks. She was an avid collector, her shelves adorned with troll dolls, glass unicorns, Precious Moments figurines, and California Raisins characters, each piece a reflection of her eclectic and endearing personality.

The spirit of Grace was akin to that of a wild mustang-free, untamed, and with a fiery zest for life. She embodied adventure and fearlessness, whether by bringing home a blacksnake from Sam Parr State Park or riding with the wind on a Harley Davidson. Her adventurous soul found solace in the revving engines and the freedom of the open road, her last ride in Arkansas remaining a testament to her undying passion for life. Though much of Grace's years were marked by personal battles, her indomitable strength and bull-headed determination never wavered. Instead, she stood firm in her convictions and lived life on her own terms until the very end.

She is survived by her children & their spouses, Mary Soderlund (MO), Jeanne & Justin Rich (Flat Rock, IL), and Joseph Yuris (St. Francisville, IL); by her grandchildren, Steven & Sabrina Daugherty, Marissa Daugherty, Miranda & Jimmy Hyde, Jacob Rich, Hannah & Austin Zuber, John Rich, and Dominic Yuris; by several great-grandchildren; by her step-father, Nicholas "Nick" Verduzco; by her brother, Chesley Edwards III; as well as several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Leonard "Lenny" Stanley Soderlund, on December 7, 1988. She was also preceded in death by her daughter, Marlene Lynn Soderlund; by her father, Chesley M. Edwards; by her mother, Marion (Mills) Verduzco; by her sisters, Patricia Ilant and Judy Brown; and by her brothers, Tommie Edwards and Terry Edwards.

A private family service will be held at a later date. The Goodwine Funeral Home in Flat Rock is in charge of arrangements.