Edith McClean, an over 50 year resident of Rowayton, CT with strong ties to its arts community passed away June 4, 2024 at her home at the age of 101.
Edith was born December 14, 1922 in Brooklyn, NY. She was the daughter of John and Dorothy Braun. Edith married her high school sweetheart Walter Wascher of Freeport, NY in 1941. In December 1943 Walter died in training exercises over the Rosebud Indian Reservation in Rosebud, South Dakota. He was preparing to join American forces in Europe during World War II. In February 1944 their son Peter Walter McClean was born. In March 1947 she married Lieutenant Colonel William “Skip” McClean. Skip and Edith spent their married lives together in military service having been stationed on various military bases in the U.S. and England. Skip passed away in September 1984.
Edith was a devoted painter, painting until age 95 even though she suffered a degenerative eye disease. She was an active member with the Rowayton Arts Center for many years winning numerous awards for her acrylic paintings and woodblock prints. Her work has been exhibited at the University of Alabama, Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, George Washington University and Bury St. Edmonds in England. Locally, in addition to the Rowayton Arts Center, she exhibited at the Stamford Art Association, Norwalk Maritime Center, Darien Library and the Geary Gallery.
In addition to being predeceased by both of her husbands, she was predeceased by her son Peter Walter McClean in 2016, her daughter in law Martha McClean in 2001, her sister Joan MacKenzie in 2000 and her sister Dorothy Nintzel in 2024.
Edith is survived by her granddaughter Hilary Latham and her husband Chris of Weston, CT, her granddaughter Meredith Fontaine and her husband Todd of Watertown, CT, her great-granddaughters McClean and Paget Latham and her great-grandson Henry Fontaine.She is also survived by her niece Greta Nintzel and her wife Cin Gorena of Whispering Pines, NC, her nephew Charles Nintzel and his wife Karen Klutz of Raleigh, NC and her nephew Douglas MacKenzie of Cliffside Park, NJ.
Edith will be remembered by her family and friends for her fierce sense of independence, optimism and determination to live life on her own terms. The Raymond Funeral Home in Historic Norwalk has been entrusted with arrangements. Please visit www.Raymond.Care to leave an online condolence for the family.
