Remembering Edith Hendry

Edith Hendry, one of St. Louis Area Masters oldest and most accomplished swimmers, holds six world records in the 95-99 age group. She last competed in July 2007, where she set world records in the 50, 100 and 200 long course meter backstroke events. Edith also demonstrated her endurance by participating twice in the USMS One Hour Postal Championships. She competed in many National Senior Games, USMS Nationals and every St. Louis Senior Games since the inaugural games 28 years ago.

She attributed much of her resiliency to her swimming. She was featured in a recent St. Louis Post Dispatch newspaper article saying that years and problems slip away when she is in the water. “It’s wonderful. I can kick my legs for all I’m worth; push off the wall and nothing ever hurts. It’s the healthiest exercise there is for an older person. It’s great for your bones, muscles and your mind.”

Edith was an award-winning cook and a great dancer. Before her retirement, she was bookkeeper for the Hazelwood School District. If there was a puzzle to be solved, she could do it and she always remembered your name. Edith was the eldest of six children and is survived by two brothers, two sons, five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Edith was honored as a USMS All-American 13 times. She was named All-American for the following age groups and years: women 75-79 in 1986 and 1987, women 80-84 in 1991 through 1993, women 85-89 in 1996 through 1998, women 90-94 in 2001 through 2003, and women 95-99 in 2006 and 2007. She also received the USMS Women 95-99 All-Star award in both 2006 and 2007 as a result of having the most number one rankings on the USMS National Top Ten times lists in each of those years for women 95-99. Edith was listed 105 times in the USMS National Top Ten times from 1993 through 2007 and had countless more listings pre-dating 1993.