Elizabeth (Beth) Cattley Ediger 1935 - 2025

Beth Ediger leaves her beloved daughter, Julia, and Julia's partner Tara Holtom, her brother Roger and nephews and nieces in Australia. Her Husband Nicholas predeceased her in 2005.

In lieu of flowers, Beth requested donations to CARMA Cat Rescue Maritimes

Beth was born in Fredericton and obtained a BA from UNB in 1957. While at university, she worked summers as an officer cadet with the RCAF on various stations in Ontario, Alberta and Germany. After graduation she studied at the University in Bonn, Germany on an exchange scholarship. She then got a job in Montreal as secretary to an analyst for Keystone Mutual Funds. When the Canadian office for Keystone closed down, she worked for a small insurance agency, then went to Time magazine as a researcher. But in those days, women could not move up the ladder at Time, even to be writers, and she moved to Toronto for a qualifying year for a masters in economics a the U of T. She soon discovered that she did not have the required background or temperament for academic economics, and took a job as projects manager at the Ontario Dept. of Trade and Economics, travelling to Japan with a team to research the background for the Ontario pavilion at Expo 1970. After a year, she hired on as an editor for the Toronto office of the global management consultants McKinsey & Co. then, in 1972, moved to Ottawa as editor for the Economic Council of Canada. She married Nicholas Ediger in 1973, and worked part-time as an editor for various government departments, the Bank of Canada and two royal commissions while her daughter was small. She had contracted fibromyalgia in 1975 and, when this disease was finally recognized by the medical profession in 1985, she organized a support group, put out a newsletter and got in touch with other fledgling support associations in North America and Norway. Her booklet "Coping with Fibromyalgia" was for years the definitive source of information on the syndrome. When she and Nick retired, they moved to Fredericton, where they spent several happy years together.

Share your memory of Beth here:

Memories of Beth:

  • Mum's Basics

    My mum told me about a conversation she had over tea and cake with some friends.
    One friend asked, "If there was a fire, what would you grab before you fled?" 
    Most answers were along the lines of "my photo albums!" or "my figurines!"

    My mum said, "A coat, and a knife.  That's all."

    This epitomizes my mother's attitude towards life, and I loved her for it.

  • I have a lot of fond memories of Mrs. Ediger. I could probably call her Beth, at my age, but she was Mrs. Ediger when I met her. She really helped me through my teenage years; I spent so much time with Julia and the Ediger home was a refuge for me. I am grateful for her hospitality and the things I learned from her. My favourite memory is a conversation with her after I mislead my father - something I almost never did. I said that I was visiting the Edigers, because I needed out of the house. He called them to ask if I was there. When I got home, he made me call Mrs. Ediger to apologize, saying I had probably worried her. She said, "He's making you call me, isn't he?" and I said yes. "He's right there, isn't he?" and again I confirmed. "Well, I just want you to know I think he's being ridiculous. You're a good girl and old enough to have a little freedom and he's perfectly ridiculous." I really needed to hear that. Her support was meant a lot to me and I'll never forget. ~ E. Willoughby

  • Beth and I met over the bridge table, and played as regular partners at the Fiddlehead Bridge Studio in Fredericton. She was wonderful to play with -- gentle, quietly sociable to all, forgiving of my mistakes, and with an unexpectedly rye sense of humor. Apart from the table, we particularly enjoyed talking about the "old" University of New Brunswick and the many characters it produced, which she remembered from her upbringing. Deepest condolences to Julia, Tara, and the familiy. I will always remember Beth with respect and affection. ~ S. Turner

  • Saddened to learn of Beth’s passing. I fondly remember sitting around the bridge table in her lovely sunroom with a glass of “sipping” wine. I will miss her quick wit and sense of humor. She would often mention our beautiful St. John river and reminisced of sailing with her father and other experiences of being a child during war years. She was instrumental in getting the novice section established in duplicate bridge and later enjoyed the Fiddlehead Club. Beth was one smart, gracious, classy gal. My deepest sympathy to dear Julia and Tara ~ D. Rayworth

  • Gord and I met Beth and Nick when they moved to Fredericton and enjoyed their company. Beth, Frankie , Jackie and I had a little bridge club and played weekly at each other's homes for years and had a great time. So sorry to hear that Beth has passed away. She was one smart lady. My deepest sympathy to Julia and family ~ Carol Gregory

  • I will miss Beth Ediger and will not forget her unfailing courtesy, pragmatism, and her refined sense of style and composition. I always enjoyed helping Beth and Nick with gardening and yard work when they had moved from Ottawa in 1997 to Alexandra Street, and helping Beth later moved to a townhouse after Nick died. I liked Beth’s humour and appreciation for the absurd. Once I grumbled to her about a friend who visited me a bit too long. Her comment to me: “One should never encourage houseguests.” ~ A. Wallace

Contact Julia Ediger by email reynardin@gmail.com