Marge Weidner’s remarks

As one of the family representatives to speak, Ed’s widow and second wife, Marge Weidner, noted his love of carillons during their many travels, thanked donors for their generous support of the project, and described the special significance of June 6 as dedication day. She told the story from 1967 when the founding chancellor picked her (out of hundreds of applicants) as his administrative assistant. She also shared poignant memories of how, years later, they found themselves widowed at the same time. “In 1986, after 20 years as chancellor, Ed stepped aside. In 1987, after 20 years in the chancellor’s office, I took early retirement…. Jean and Ed, and my husband, Ed Fermanich, were friends, and we socialized over the next decade… In 1996, I lost my husband, and six months later, Ed lost Jean. And again I was fortunate, in that Ed picked me to share the last years of his life with him. We had nine wonderful years together.” Dedication day (June 6, 2009) was the second anniversary of Edward Weidner’s death, and the 11th anniversary of their wedding day.