Edeen Parrish, a resident of Vashon Island since 2002, died on June 15. She was 89.Edeen had a lifelong passion for learning and education. A teacher, librarian, scientist, spiritualist, poet and a dedicated conservationist, she was a world traveler who never met a stranger she couldn't share with or a rock she didn't like. She loved the present moment and few things were more important than good conversation and a hot cup of tea.She was a prolific writer of essays, musings and poetry spanning more than six decades. She once said "I am, therefore, I write." Earlier this year, she published a volume of poetry under the title "Celebrating Life, Sharing the Grief, Trusting the Unknown." Most recently, she was working on her memoirs. Family was always front and center in her life. She encouraged each to be the best they could be -- setting the bar high and celebrating every achievement. A failure was never a failure; it was merely an alternate route to success.She loved folk dancing and met her husband Harry Kirschner when they were both members of the Sno-King Folk Dance Club in Lynnwood, WA. They married in 1993. They were active members of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship both in Seattle and after moving to Vashon. Family and friends will remember Edeen especially for her irrepressible curiosity, sense of humor, pragmatism and unflagging courage in staring down even the most daunting of life's challenges. She was born Clara Ella Deen Marlow on January 6, 1923 in Putnam County, Tenn. to William James Carmen and Roxie Edmonds Marlow. After her mother died in 1939, she moved with her father and sister Hazel to California. In 1941 she married James Goforth and the two settled in Ojai to raise three daughters. They were divorced in 1974. She was librarian at Nordhoff, Buena and Ventura High Schools and taught geology at Ventura Community College until she retired in 1979. In 1975, she married Clyde Parrish. After he died in 1979, she moved to Washington to be near her family. She is survived by her husband Harry Kirschner, sister Beverly McKenney of Old Hickory, TN; daughters Jeanne Greatorex of Watsonville, CA, Kimberly Goforth and son-in-law Eric Gill of Vashon, Diana Clarke of Everett, WA;grandchildren Martin and Jeff Greatorex, Christopher and Matthew Wright, Amanda Clarke and Thane and Tate Gill; niece Tamara Steiner of Clayton, CA, and 11 great-grandchildren. Her sister Hazel died in 2001. On July 15 from 2-5 p.m., there will be a Celebration of Life and potluck luncheon for friends and family at Lisabuela Park on the west side of Vashon Island. Pease bring your memories and a dish to share. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Vashon Island Unitarian Fellowship.