Re: Edith L. Murway (Traina) Dedication

I am formally requesting that the Community Center Bldg at Jackson Springs be officially named the Edith Murway-Traina Community Center Bldg at Jackson Springs. After discussion with the seniors and Edith’s family, we believe her contributions to the recreation department and her almost 40 years of volunteer service warrants the entire Community Center building being re-named as it houses both the fitness center as well as the dance room, both of which she was instrumental in bringing to life at Jackson Springs.

When money was appropriated for “gymnasiums” at the regional sites, it was Edith that suggested a dedicated fitness center and dance room for Jackson Springs as it already had a gymnasium. Edith had several conversations with the director at the time, explaining the reasoning as to why these facilities would be best utilized at Jackson Springs. She was not wrong.

Edith passed away on Tues., March 7th at the age of 101 1/2 yrs young. You would be hard pressed to find another individual who dedicated more of her their time as a volunteer to Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation as Edith.  Edith was not just an advocate for seniors in Town & Country but tirelessly advocated for our entire department, its employees and the health and well-being of all Hillsborough County citizens for almost 40 years.

Edith moved to Tampa from New York in the early 1980’s with her husband, John. John found the Town & Country Recreation Center as he enjoyed cards.  Edith worked but would join him from time to time. She quickly noticed that there was not much in the way of active recreation for
seniors (50+). She was a natural born leader and motivated others by example.

Some of Edith’s outstanding accomplishments in the field of recreation are as follows:

• Spear-headed a very successful and culturally diverse senior program at Town & Country and Jackson Springs Recreation Centers for 35+ years. This program has had as many as 200+ seniors at any one time, living a phrase she coined.....Active, Alert & Agile - her Triple “A” lifestyle.

• Encouraged all to participate in Tampa Bay Active Life Games (formerly known as the Tampa Bay Senior Games and was a regular participant from 1985-2017. She actively participated in most events from ballroom dancing, talent showcases, to billiards and powerlifting.  Edith played to win and most often did. She was a tireless advocate for the games and encourage all to participate and enjoy the fellowship of the games.

• She was self-motivated and did not wait for others to get something started. She was instrumental in getting many programs started at Town & Country Center with senior volunteer instructors to keep the cost affordable for seniors. Tone & Stretch, Line Dance, & Mah Jongare just some of the programs Edith started for her peers.

• Was a line dance instructor for over 30 years and mentored others along the way. Edith is the reason Jackson Springs currently has a line dance instructor who is a volunteer and is willing to drive each day from Land O’ Lakes for the love of line dance, teaching and fellowship with friends she has made in Town & Country. This instructor has been teaching as a volunteer at TNC/Jackson Springs for 18 years.

• She was the brainchild of many fundraisers/events to make the Senior Stars a self-sustained, yet supported by and supporter of, Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation.

• 25+ years of spaghetti dinners, all completely organized by the Senior Stars. This included soliciting donations, promotion, ticket sales, decorations, entertainment, and food preparation & service. This event on average sold 300-400 tickets for both dine-in and take-out orders. This was a highly anticipated annual community event. Proceeds benefited the Senior Stars but also many other needs from Tiny Tots to After-school programs as well.

• 20+ years of variety shows. Edith was producer, director, choreographer, costume maker, talent scout, and emcee for these shows. She came up with original shows, many had themes and the cast could be as many as 100 strong. These variety shows wherever popular with the community and benefited programs at Town & Country/ Jackson Springs.

• After 9-11, Edith rallied the troops and organized seniors to donate blood. She drove many carloads of seniors to the blood bank to donate. She was extremely patriotic and felt it was everyone’s duty to help in whatever way they could after such a horrific national tragedy.
She united a community.

• She organized a traveling performance group called the Happy Hoofers who entertained for over 25 years for countless venues from Senior centers, nursing homes, County Commissioners, Aging Services and even the Tampa Bay Rays. They performed at Tropicana Field alongside the entertainer Debbie Reynolds. Debbie Reynolds was impressed with Edith’s “hutzpah” and treated her as an equal. The Rays had special Rays uniforms made for the Hoofers as they performed several times. They were known at the Trop as “The Golden Girls” and their uniform numbers were their ages at the time.

• Edith volunteered her time and her talents to many Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation activities.

• She was the emcee for Tiny Tot Graduations for at least 15 years. She loved to see the “Little Lambies” as she called them, and the Senior Stars bought real caps & gowns for the Tots to graduate in. She organized senior volunteers to help with the kids backstage so that their teachers could concentrate on the graduation and program and their parents could enjoy their child’s big day. Senior Stars would host the reception afterwards for the families.

• When Timberlane park was opening, she worked for over 10 hours helping Lucy Perez input information into the computer for 100+ names of participants on a Sunday, so they would be ready to receive those children on their first day of Timberlane’s program.

• She found out that many Timberlane families would not have a proper Thanksgiving dinner and organized a community Thanksgiving Dinner for those families. This event was highly anticipated for years at Timberlane.

• She expanded senior programming to Timberlane Park, and it was the rehearsal home of the Kats’ 9, another traveling group of dancing and entertaining seniors.

• Edith volunteered her time with the after-school program as well. One example was during the summer, at Town & Country, she taught 150 summer campers how to do the “Apache Dance” when the summer camps’ theme was the 1970’s. Countless hours, undying patience, and an inspiration to even the youngest county residents. Wherever Edith was needed, she was there to help.

• Her accomplishments in the gym are unbelievable and it all started at Jackson Springs with retired Parks & Recreation employee and powerlifting enthusiast, Bill Beekley. He thought it would be beneficial for some of the Tone & Stretch seniors to try powerlifting. Edith did join at 91 years old, and competed until she was 100 years old. She won countless competitions, including several years of powerlifting in the Senior Games in Hillsborough & Polk Counties.
She competed at the Florida State Senior Games twice as well. She competed in over 14 major powerlifting competitions with many local competitions as well

Check out these videos:https:https://youtu.be/g7Cc86uQvWE ​

https:https: //youtu.be/mMMCNgS2jo0​

https://youtu.be/cnsHfDw1Lk

Edith is a 2022 Guinness Book of World Record holder for the oldest female competitive powerlifter, and it all started at Jackson Springs. She did interviews for media all over the world celebrating this remarkable accomplishment that all started on sheer determination at Jackson Springs.

On August 12, 2021, Edith was formally recognized by the Hillsborough County Commission on her 100th birthday and her achievements in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Since her passing, her powerlifting coach, Bill Beekley, has received numerous emails and Facebook posts from people in the powerlifting community (worldwide) expressing their condolences and admiration for Edith, including the folks from Guinness.

Edith’s life has been amazingly inspiring, often difficult, and her legacy embodies all that is good in the world. Edith loved life, had a “never say can’t” attitude (both for herself and others) and a sense of volunteerism that was her life. Edith, by her own admission, loved the applause. But did not live for it. Edith was quick-witted and devoted to giving back to her community. She was the first to give praise and uplifting words to others. She always made you feel like you were a super star.

Since the 1950’s, Edith was an advocate and supporter of the March of Dimes. Her first husband, Eddie, contracted polio and was confined to a wheelchair, then rocker bed and used  a device called an "iron lung" that created a vacuum around his body, with only their head showing. Edith took care of him, worked multiple jobs and raised and cared for 5 children all at the same time. She was a force to be reckoned with and always did it with a smile.

We do not believe that the Recreation Section of Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation has ever had a volunteer dedicate as much of their life, with such passion for a wide array of activities for people of all ages. She was a constant unpaid, unsolicited Ambassador for recreation and Hillsborough County.

Edith rallied tirelessly for Parks in Rec during the RIF. She wrote letters, made phone calls, protested at commission meetings, & spoke on behalf of the benefits of the department, programs and most importantly the staff that make this department great. She was eloquent in her words and factual in her execution. Everyone who endured that awful time in our department’s history owes a debt of gratitude to Edith and her efforts to help keep this department alive. When Edith spoke, you could not help but listen and be inspired.

Edith was wise beyond her generation. Her sage advice and friendship was relevant whether you were her contemporary or a young child. The compassion and conviction of her mere presence is awe-inspiring, and her legacy must live on. Everyone who knew her, knew of her, or ever met her is better off for the experience and is blessed to have crossed paths in life with this amazingly, extraordinary human being.

The family expects to have Edith’s Celebration of her Amazing Life on August 6, 2023, near what would have been her 102nd birthday. We would like the dedication and ribbon-cutting for the community center to be on the day of her celebration. Family, friends, and admirers from around the globe are expected to be in attendance on that day along with lots of media coverage. Edith deserves this honor.