A Beautiful Life

We lost Maw on February 6th. No one wants to see someone they love live the way Maw was living her last few weeks, but it did not make it any less sad for any of us. She was our Maw.  She was the antithesis of the word Matriarch of our family.
We were all so lucky that she was able to spend her last weeks, days, and moments, comfortably in her home in her own bed surrounded by family. Maw was an amazing woman, the perfect grandmother and lived a full and wonderful life.

In Puccini's opera Tosca there is a famous aria "Vissi d'arte, vissi d'amore," which means "I lived for art, I lived for love." Maw lived for the love of her family and the love of her art. She was passionate about her children and passionate about opera, and she devoted her life to giving to both. 

She was born on May 2, 1923, in Yorktown, Texas. Her father, Jacob Schmidt (Cash Jacob was named after him), moved the family to Austin, Texas, where he founded the Yaring's Department Stores. Dedicated to operatic singing from an early age, Maw graduated from Austin High School and was accepted at the Juilliard School in New York City, where she studied and continued to develop her soprano voice. 

Before leaving for New York City, she met Aaron Kruger, or as we called him, Pa, who had opened the Kruger Jewelry Store at Congress and 8th in 1939. While studying in New York, she was courted by Aaron, who was in love with both Edythe and opera, and who finally convinced the beautiful soprano to marry him at the Jewish Free Synagogue in New York City on November 7, 1943. 

Even after their marriage, she carried on her studies until the birth of their first son, James Arthur, on September 3, 1945. Eleven and a half months later their second son was born, Daniel Yahr, on August 21, 1946. Twenty-two months later, their third son was born, David Bruce, on July 3, 1948. They finally had their daughter, Kathryn Lindauer, on September 2, 1951. 

 
Throughout her motherhood, Maw continued her opera training and concertizing. She performed with various opera companies throughout the state of Texas and was the featured singer at events like Texas Governer Allan Shiver's Inauguration. She also routinely sang for religious services at her Temple.

Maw and Pa were involved in the development of the Austin Symphony. They were also instrumental in arranging for the first tour of the English National Opera to the United States. In addition, after Pa's death, Maw was one of the founders of the Austin Lyric Opera and Austin Musical Theatre Company. 

Amazing, right?

February 6 was such an emotional day because it was also Rachel's due date, so while we were all waiting on pins and needles for the baby to come, we were also all hoping the baby would stay put until we were able to lay Maw to rest so we could focus all our energy on Maw.  It felt like we had conflicting emotions- excited and sad at the same time.  Thankfully, the baby held off and we were able to be there all together to celebrate the beautiful life of Maw.

After a private burial on Friday, we had a beautiful memorial service Sunday afternoon.  I miss her so much already and still can not believe she is gone.  I find peace in knowing she is singing somewhere up there with Pa!