Edda Quattrini


Edda Quattrini was born on January 9, 1929, in Rome. Although she was named for a daughter of Mussolini, she stressed that her name in Hebrew and Chaldean meant "community" and her identification with the ecclesial community was a motivating force in her life.

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Edda with Father Paul and Father Pierbattista

She moved to France in 1956 where she joined an apostolic group founded to know better the Jewish world. In 1959, she returned to Rome, where she studied to become a nurse until 1962.

On the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, December 8, 1964, Edda arrived in Israel. Her desire was to do quiet, hidden labors of love among the people living in the Holy Land. She immediately entered Ulpan on New Year’s Day, and studied Hebrew until June 30, 1965. On July 1, 1965 she was employed at Soroka Hospital in Beer-Sheva as a nurse in the plastic surgery ward. She took care of burn victims. During the wars of 1967 and 1973 she treated many wounded soldiers.

Edda is remembered with great fondness in Beer-Sheva. She loved children, and they loved her. She had to be instructed not to fill them with candy during the Mass. Edda was a masterful cook who enjoyed preparing delightful Italian dishes for the congregation. She had a peculiar ability to be tough and sweet all at the same time.

On November 16, 2009, Edda departed from this life to be with the Lord. We miss Edda, and pray that her soul will find its way into the arms of her Father in Heaven. Many of us believe that she is already there, whispering prayers for those of us she left such a deep impression upon.

(written by Matthew Umbarger, Beer Sheba community)

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