Edith Nadine Parrish

Dr. Edith Nadine Parrish was born on May 25, 1934 in Newberg, Oregon to Dr. Elery Archie Parrish and Wilma Josephine Cornell Parrish. Passing away on April 7, 2023 in Newberg, Oregon. Edith spent her early childhood years traveling with her family doing evangelistic meetings. She started singing solo at the age of two. She was an early camper at Wi-Ne-Ma Christian Camp on the Oregon Coast established by her parents and six other couples in 1944. That same year, she was baptized on May 21, 1944 in Cullaby Lake near Seaside, Oregon where her family was in meetings to begin a church there. Edith went to school at Multnomah grade and Parkrose High School in Portland - Salem High School - Northwest Christian College, graduating in 1956 with a Bachelor of Christian Education. Later, she attended The Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, Indiana, graduating in 1963 with a Masters of Sacred Music. Edith was a trailblazer in Women's Christian Ministry. During college, she did part-time student ministry at both Yamhill Christian Church and University Street Christian Church in Salem. After graduating from NCC, she held evangelistic meetings with her father traveling Oregon, Washington and California. She described those years with her father “as a treasure and a strong nudge toward her Christian ministry.” Edith met Vivian Ida Triplett (1936-2005) at Northwest Christian College in 1951. Edith was taking private vocal lessons and Viv was her accompanist. When Edith decided to go to Seminary, she asked Viv if she wanted to join and she did. Viv attended Butler University Jordan Collage of Music. They continued their lives together for 47 years. Edith said Viv “was a very fine Christian musician and RN. A supportive, trusting, caring and loving friend.” Edith continued her ministry in Indianapolis, Indiana and San Diego, California; being transitioned to youth work, Christian education and administrative duties. In 1970, she came to Kern Park Christian Church in Portland, Oregon as the Director of Christian Education. One year later, she was ordained as a Christian Minister. This was also the year Elery and Wilma retired from full-time ministry from the same church. She was in a team ministry with two other pastors sharing all aspects of ministry, preaching/teaching, baptisms, weddings and funerals. Leading in special areas of music, worship and administration until 1987, Edith was paramount in Kern Park having an amazing hand bell choir. In 1987, she became the Senior Pastor at First Christian Church in Columbia Falls, Montana. She loved this congregation and was blessed with her position as Senior Pastor. She remained there until her retirement in full time ministry in 1996. She and Viv then moved to Sunriver, Oregon. Here they had a lovely home and Edith was able to assist as a retired pastor at Sunriver Christian Fellowship. It was a wonderful place to be in retirement, not only for the weather and the sunshine but for the amazing relationships built in their church family Edith came to Newberg two years after losing her life companion, Vivian, to cancer in July of 2005. Moving into a retirement community; this took a lot of encouragement from her family. She loved being close to family so as to spend more time together. Even over the last two years, bedridden, at Marquis Rehabilitation Center, she enjoyed visits from friends and family. She loved sports of any kind. She played softball in High School for the Erv Lind Florist’s Rosebuds and she loved it. She also loved watching all kinds of sports in person when she could and on tv. The Trailblazers, Seahawks, Mariners, Ducks, and Beavers were her favorite teams. Other enjoyments included the travels she did with her friend Sharon Mullenix to Europe, Canada, Mexico, Panama and all over the US. Reading mystery novels, music, and the love of a good dog. Edith was preceded in death by her parents Elery and Wilma Parrish of Newberg, brother Warren Parrish of Newberg and life companion Vivian Triplett of Sunriver. Edith is survived by her brother, Ronald Parrish, Newberg; two nephews, Nathan Parrish and Joseph Parrish, both of Newberg; her sister-in-law Melisa Mullen Parrish of Newberg, and many other family and friends form over the years of ministry. A celebration of life for Edith will be held on Saturday, May 20th at 2pm. The service will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Newberg, Oregon. For live streaming of services, please see link: https://newbergfpc.org/live-streaming/

Edith Nadine Parrish

May 25, 1934 - April 7, 2023