Talkington, Edith

A Talkington, Edith (Di Salvo-Perna) from Athens, passed away peacefully on Holy Wed. She was born Feb 15th, 1916 in Wilburton, Ok.

Last surviving child of Anastasio Perna and Maria Di Salvo from Pietrabbondante, Molise, formally Abrutzzo, Italy.

She was the first Perna child born in the USA in Wilburton, Ok. The Perna family moved to Springfield in 1922.

She met and married Harold J. Talkington in 1936. They moved to Athens in 1942. Harold preceded her in passing in 1974.

Edith was a self-employed homemaker, church and community volunteer. She made and altered band uniforms, cheerleader outfits, Priest robes, Alter boy robes, and Altars cloths.

She was very active within the Holy Family Catholic Church in Athens. She was also active in the Alter and Rosary Society now called the Holy Family Women Society. She helped with fundraising with the Helpers for Christ.

Her outstanding cooking abilities lead her to volunteer to cook for fundraisers for both Athens School bands, the Athens Library, the Athens Boy Scouts and many other noteworthy causes. Some of her recipes are in an Athens library cookbook.

Her crotchet and knitting skills awarded her many best of class in the Menard and Logan county fairs, and also the Illinois State fair.

She worked for the State of Illinois – Department of Revenue from 1964 to retirement at age 72.

Mother to Sharon “Don” Awe, Elkhart, Steve “Jean” Talkington Denver Co, and Jerry “Ruth” Talkington, Pleasant Hill, Mo.

She has 8 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren.

Donations can be made to Holy Family Catholic Church, Athens or Zion Lutheran School in Mt Pulaski instead of flowers.

Viewing is at Mott & Henning Funeral Home in Athens Monday 5:00-7:00 PM. Rosary 9:30 AM following with a funeral mass at at 10:00 AM at Holy Family Catholic Church, Athens