The Renfrow Story

The remarkable light that Edith Renfrow Smith brought to this world faded away peacefully on January 2, 2026. She was 111 years old.

In the days since her passing she has been remembered in her home towns of Grinnell and Chicago as well as across the county. A beautiful tribute with words from her daughter, Alice, and dear friends and adopted granddaughters, Feven and Valeriya, can be read here. There’s also a beautiful note from the college president here. Neil Steinberg of the Chicago Sun, who had interviewed her for her birthday each of the last several years, did a lovely final tribute here. And National Public Radio, whose Scott Simon had interviewed her for Weekend Edition in 2023, posted a lovely tribute here. And those are just a few among the many tributes that have been posted by individuals and organizations who felt compelled to pay tribute to this remarkable women.

Like many who were impacted by her light, I have been sitting with this news while holding on to the sacredness of her passage from one life to the next. My prayers are with her daughter, Alice, who was her constant companion and support and was such a huge part of bringing her story to print. I also know her loss is deeply felt by so many who held her as a dear friend and guiding light in their lives. There have been times I have felt unworthy to be counted among those who called her friend, feeling like I just happened to be lucky to be in the right place at the right time. But even now I can hear her voice scolding me for such insecurities, looking me in the eye as she said, “You were the one who was meant to do this.”

Last Sunday I was scheduled to give the children’s message at my church. The sermon focus for the day was on how God helps us to do things that feel beyond our own power to accomplish. If you followed along with the story of this book from the beginning, you know that I leaned heavily on my faith, truly stepping forward to do it without knowing how I was going to find an illustrator or funding to turn it from a dream into reality. So it seemed appropriate to share about this experience in the children’s message. And as a memorial to Edith, I brought a big pile of books to give to any families in the church who didn’t have a copy.

Sunday night I received this note from the mother of three delightful children who range in age from about 3 to probably 3rd grade. They live in Brooklyn, just down the road from Grinnell, so hadn’t been a part of the Renfrow Hall celebration last year when so many area children learned her story.

Monique, I wanted to let you know that we read your book about Edith Renfrow Smith tonight for bedtimes and we were all blown away! Growing up in Grinnell, I’m a little embarrassed to say I had never heard of her, but what an incredible story and life she lived! It sparked a lot of great questions and conversations for us to have with the kids and we were all amazed with the beautiful illustrations, as well. We’re praying for you and all who loved Edith, and that we’re able to see even just glimpses of Edith in ourselves. Thank you so much for sharing it with us!

There is no greater gift than to feel you helped bring a message of hope and affirmation, especially when the world seems overwhelmed by negativity and strife. That is certainly how the beginning of 2026 has felt to many of us. So while the news of the death of this incredible woman brought me to tears, I know her story lives on. Her light will continue to shine through all of us who carry her love in our hearts. And she will continue to make the worlld a better place.

Rest in peace and power, my friend. And thanks for everything.