Edna Dewey Main
September 1, 1940 — November 13, 2023
Edna Dewey Main (June), 83, of Atlantic Beach, passed away on November 13, 2023 after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's disease. She was surrounded by her children at the time she passed. This obituary cannot be written like most obituaries because Mom was not like most people. She was extraordinary, and we don't say that because she was our mom. We can't think of anyone who did not love and respect her. She was caring, empathetic, positive and nonjudgmental. She took care of everyone else before herself. It didn't't matter who you were or where you came from. She would be your friend. She valued and appreciated everyone and saw the good in everyone. She deeply cared about and loved the people in her life.
Mom taught elementary school and at the university level because she knew she could make a difference in the world. She was creative and innovative in her style of teaching, especially with her science and technology classes, and always used an engaging, project-centered, hands-on approach. She became the outstanding educator she was by listening to her students and incorporating their interests in her lessons. She was passionate and enthusiastic about what she was teaching and passed on this passion and enthusiasm in her classroom. She instilled in her students a life-long love of learning. Her third graders couldn't't wait to come to school and spend the day in her classroom and were hesitant to leave when the bell rang at the end of the day. This continued even when she taught at the university level. Her education classes and summer science institutes were practical and captivating. Teachers could take what they learned and apply it immediately in their own classrooms. Mom built deep relationships with her students and kept in touch with many of them long after they left her classroom. She touched so many lives and contributed so much to the field of education.
One of her university students shared this memory:
"She recognized, and was committed to teaching teachers, that every child CAN learn if he/she felt like the lesson was relevant, engaging and active. She employed humor in all disciplines, including art, music and physical education in every lesson. As a teacher of young children prior to her professorship, she saw potential greatness in every student, and she derived so much joy when an "Ah hah" moment was achieved. As graduate students, we sensed her enthusiasm and her devotion to changing the way we educate to include children in their own learning, provide choices, and especially, to provide diverse ways to demonstrate understanding. The success of all students was important to her, but empowering students to use their education to build a better world was at the heart of her teaching. She truly was a most gifted educator."
Mom was also a remarkable mother and grandmother. She taught us to be our own person. She never questioned the goals we had for ourselves. She always encouraged us and was supportive of whatever we set out to do. She showed us anything was possible by setting an example herself. She was independent, strong, determined and hardworking, and inspired us to be the same. She was always there to celebrate with us when we accomplished our goals and to listen without judgment if we fell short. She loved our family unconditionally and loved having us get together. One of the grandchildren said she loved how Mom loved to celebrate literally anything-any excuse to get together. Our family always had the greatest time. There was never any drama, just a lot of love and laughter, and that is all a credit to Mom. That is how she raised us-to be grateful and positive and enjoy the time we had together, even in the littlest of moments.
One of the grandsons shared this memory of Mom, and it describes her perfectly:
"I loved Gigi's endless curiosity. Whether it was performing science labs in the kitchen, talking about the newest Apple invention, reading the latest National Geographic magazine, listening to the Beatles and Coldplay, playing board games in the dining room, showing me her latest photography or taking trips to the beach, Gigi was always learning. I loved that Gigi pushed me to do the same; to become a lifelong learner. She never judged any question or quelled any passion. Gigi was always curious, and always learning."
Mom will be missed immensely. There is no other person that could ever take her place. And now for the more customary part of this obituary: June Main was born on September 1, 1940 to Seth Bradford and Edna Wright Dewey in Hyannis, Massachusetts. After graduating from Barnstable High School in 1958, she moved to New York City and received a degree in fashion merchandising from the Tobe Coburn School of Fashion. In 1961, June married Donald Main, and they had two daughters. Later, the two moved to Jacksonville, Florida, where their son was born. After starting a family, June decided to return to school, and earned her Bachelor in Education from the University of North Florida. She taught elementary school at Holiday Hill Elementary in Jacksonville and was named Teacher of the Year numerous times. June later earned a Master of Arts in Education and a Masters in Administration and Supervision from the University of North Florida and a Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Florida. She taught at the University of North Florida and Jacksonville University. She was named JU's Professor of the Year, Florida Professor of the Year, Professor Emeritus at Jacksonville University, was a recipient of the Innovative Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Technology award, UNF's Outstanding Alumni award, the Apple Distinguished Educator award and a Florida Times-Union EVE award in education. June was predeceased by her ex-husband, Don. She is survived by her children, Alison Ronzon (George), Sue Leddy (Bubba), Steve Main (Joan) and five grandchildren, Nicole and Michele Ronzon, Meagan and Jake Leddy, and Hudson Main. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.
https://donate.brightfocus.org/adr/donate?&utm_medium=cpc_google&utm_source=efundraising&utm_campaign=ADR&utm_content=FY24_ADR_Evergreen_Search&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiApOyqBhDlARIsAGfnyMpozrJwM5t83CEZs4ReF36XmYenkqR_jDeJB1NjItQN5FIDKuFfv0waAhWyEALw_wcB
Mom taught elementary school and at the university level because she knew she could make a difference in the world. She was creative and innovative in her style of teaching, especially with her science and technology classes, and always used an engaging, project-centered, hands-on approach. She became the outstanding educator she was by listening to her students and incorporating their interests in her lessons. She was passionate and enthusiastic about what she was teaching and passed on this passion and enthusiasm in her classroom. She instilled in her students a life-long love of learning. Her third graders couldn't't wait to come to school and spend the day in her classroom and were hesitant to leave when the bell rang at the end of the day. This continued even when she taught at the university level. Her education classes and summer science institutes were practical and captivating. Teachers could take what they learned and apply it immediately in their own classrooms. Mom built deep relationships with her students and kept in touch with many of them long after they left her classroom. She touched so many lives and contributed so much to the field of education.
One of her university students shared this memory:
"She recognized, and was committed to teaching teachers, that every child CAN learn if he/she felt like the lesson was relevant, engaging and active. She employed humor in all disciplines, including art, music and physical education in every lesson. As a teacher of young children prior to her professorship, she saw potential greatness in every student, and she derived so much joy when an "Ah hah" moment was achieved. As graduate students, we sensed her enthusiasm and her devotion to changing the way we educate to include children in their own learning, provide choices, and especially, to provide diverse ways to demonstrate understanding. The success of all students was important to her, but empowering students to use their education to build a better world was at the heart of her teaching. She truly was a most gifted educator."
Mom was also a remarkable mother and grandmother. She taught us to be our own person. She never questioned the goals we had for ourselves. She always encouraged us and was supportive of whatever we set out to do. She showed us anything was possible by setting an example herself. She was independent, strong, determined and hardworking, and inspired us to be the same. She was always there to celebrate with us when we accomplished our goals and to listen without judgment if we fell short. She loved our family unconditionally and loved having us get together. One of the grandchildren said she loved how Mom loved to celebrate literally anything-any excuse to get together. Our family always had the greatest time. There was never any drama, just a lot of love and laughter, and that is all a credit to Mom. That is how she raised us-to be grateful and positive and enjoy the time we had together, even in the littlest of moments.
One of the grandsons shared this memory of Mom, and it describes her perfectly:
"I loved Gigi's endless curiosity. Whether it was performing science labs in the kitchen, talking about the newest Apple invention, reading the latest National Geographic magazine, listening to the Beatles and Coldplay, playing board games in the dining room, showing me her latest photography or taking trips to the beach, Gigi was always learning. I loved that Gigi pushed me to do the same; to become a lifelong learner. She never judged any question or quelled any passion. Gigi was always curious, and always learning."
Mom will be missed immensely. There is no other person that could ever take her place. And now for the more customary part of this obituary: June Main was born on September 1, 1940 to Seth Bradford and Edna Wright Dewey in Hyannis, Massachusetts. After graduating from Barnstable High School in 1958, she moved to New York City and received a degree in fashion merchandising from the Tobe Coburn School of Fashion. In 1961, June married Donald Main, and they had two daughters. Later, the two moved to Jacksonville, Florida, where their son was born. After starting a family, June decided to return to school, and earned her Bachelor in Education from the University of North Florida. She taught elementary school at Holiday Hill Elementary in Jacksonville and was named Teacher of the Year numerous times. June later earned a Master of Arts in Education and a Masters in Administration and Supervision from the University of North Florida and a Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Florida. She taught at the University of North Florida and Jacksonville University. She was named JU's Professor of the Year, Florida Professor of the Year, Professor Emeritus at Jacksonville University, was a recipient of the Innovative Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Technology award, UNF's Outstanding Alumni award, the Apple Distinguished Educator award and a Florida Times-Union EVE award in education. June was predeceased by her ex-husband, Don. She is survived by her children, Alison Ronzon (George), Sue Leddy (Bubba), Steve Main (Joan) and five grandchildren, Nicole and Michele Ronzon, Meagan and Jake Leddy, and Hudson Main. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.
https://donate.brightfocus.org/adr/donate?&utm_medium=cpc_google&utm_source=efundraising&utm_campaign=ADR&utm_content=FY24_ADR_Evergreen_Search&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiApOyqBhDlARIsAGfnyMpozrJwM5t83CEZs4ReF36XmYenkqR_jDeJB1NjItQN5FIDKuFfv0waAhWyEALw_wcB
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