Theodora W.Safford

Theodora Viola ""Pat"" Wood Edwards Safford, 95 Pat Safford passed away July 23, 2013 at Lakeland Regional Hospital from complications of a stroke. Pat was born in New Haven, Connecticut on February 20, 1918 to Edward B. Wood and Viola Louise Schermeir Wood. The family moved to Lakeland in 1926 and lived here until her death. Upon arriving in Lakeland, she joined All Saints"" Episcopal Church where she served 30 years on the Altar Guild, and was a member of the Vestry and St. Margaret""s Guild. She graduated from Lakeland Senior High School in 1936 where she was a cheerleader and Salutatorian of her class. As a graduate of the Florida Southern Class of 1940, she was a member of Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority and the only female member of the debating team. Pat was very active in the Garden Club of Lakeland for over 40 years where she became a National Flower Show Judge and traveled as far as Bogota and Medellin, Columbia in this endeavor. At Lakeland Regional Medical Center, she was a ""Pink Lady"" and a member of the Hospital""s Foundation as part of ""The Bridge Builder"" Society. She was a member of the Contemporary Club and The Junior League of Greater Lakeland. Pat""s first love was the outdoors. She was an original member of Lone Palm Golf Club with her husband, Tillis Edwards, where she was the first woman to score a hole in one at the course. She spent many years at her beach house at Anna Maria Island with her family, fishing and scalloping. Pat also hunted and traveled on horseback into the Yukon Territory in search of trophy mountain sheep and grizzly bears with her husband, Tillis. In later years, she fly fished with her husband, Bob Safford, in Montana. Her second love was reading. The Lakeland Public Library became her passion in the last few years as Pat was able to order books by mail from them which was a blessing to her. She had three sons with Tillis Edwards (deceased). Arthur Edwards (deceased), Michael Edwards (Linda), Bradenton, David Edwards (Bonnie) Lakeland. Grandchildren, Lance Edwards (Eri), Houston, Brian Edwards, Lakeland, Scott Edwards, Washington D.C., Jay Edwards, Los Angeles, Julie Edwards Pivovarnik (John), Lithia, Shannon Edwards Stotts (Jon), New York City, Kathie Edwards Velasco (Rommel), Riverview, Kimberly Jeanne Edwards, Brandon. Great grandchildren, Stephanie Edwards, Houston, Alexander Pivovarnik, Lithia, Nicholas Pivovarnik, Lithia, Oliver Stotts, New York City, Henry Stotts, New York City. Her second husband Robert Safford""s (deceased) family became a second one to Pat. Daughters, Cindy Habermas (deceased) and Penny Demarest (deceased). Son in law Walter Habermas, North Carolina, Grandchildren, Geoffrey Erickson (Debbie), Connecticut, Robert Erickson (Kelli), California, Kimberly Erickson Arnette (Harry), California. Great grandchildren, Kayla, Aviva, C.J., Kerris and Max. A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 27, 2013 at 1:00 pm. All Saints"" Episcopal Church, Lakeland, Florida with the Reverend Dr. Al W. Jenkins officiating. Reception to follow at the home of David and Bonnie Edwards, Lakeland, Florida. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to All Saints"" Episcopal Church, Camp Wingmann, or the charity of your choice. Service: 07/27/2013 All Saints Episcopal Church 202 South Massachusetts Ave., Lakeland, Florida 33801