Edna Purviance (October 21, 1895 - January 13, 1958)

Photoplay, August 1916

Edna passed away 55 years ago today after a long battle with cancer. The following is Edna’s last letter to Charlie, dated November 13th, 1956 (at the beginning she thanks him for still being on his payroll):

Dear Charlie,

Here I am again with a heart full of thanks, and back in the hospital (Cedars of Lebanon), taking cobalt X-ray treatment on my neck. There cannot be a hell hereafter! … Am thankful my innards are O.K., this is purely and simply local, so they say. All of which reminds me of the fellow standing on the corner of Seventh and Broadway tearing up little bits of paper and throwing them to the four winds. A cop comes along and asks him what was the big idea. He answers, “Just keeping the elephants away.” The cop says, “There aren’t any elephants in this district.” The fellow answers: “Well, it works, doesn’t it?” This is my silly for the day, so forgive me. Hope you and the family are well and enjoying everything you have worked for.

Love always, Edna

In his autobiography, Charlie wrote: “Shortly after I received this letter she died. And so the world grows young. And youth takes over. And we who have lived a little longer become a little more estranged as we journey on our way.”