On June 10, 2012 my aunt Emily went home to be with the Lord.
She was 74 years old.
She was way too young to die.
My heart is broken and I miss her so much.
We had found out in mid-April that she had terminal uterine cancer.
It is a "silent killer" of women.
By the time they found it, it was too late.
I can remember the phone call...
her optimism in the midst of bad news.
She said that she had lived a wonderful life.
That she would enjoy the time that she had left.
That she was happy.
She didn't have to worry about languishing for years in a nursing home.
She knew when and how she was going to die.
She would enjoy the time she had left.
And that is what she did.
With friends. With family. With co-workers.
She was able to say her goodbyes.
As was said in her obituary,
she finished well.
My heart will forever remember the good times.
Staying with her as a young girl.
Summers at Wrightsville Beach.
Her taking me on a cruise to the Bahamas as an awkward middle schooler.
The love and support she gave me as a young college grad going off to India by myself when everyone else thought i was crazy.
She believed in me.
She loved me and my brother as her own.
We were the children she never had.
Our last time together was only days before she died.
It is a truly unique and special moment to be able to say how much you love someone.
How much they have meant to you.
How much you have looked up to them.
I will never forget that last special day together.
I am so thankful that i could be with her that day.
I love you Aunt Emily.
I will miss you always.
EMILY LOUISE STAFFORD
JULIAN - Emily Louise Stafford, 74, of Galloway Ridge Retirement Community, Pittsboro, NC, died on Sunday, June 10. She was born on October 11, 1937, the eldest child of the late Seymour R. and Margaret Causey Stafford.
After graduating from Nathanael Greene High School, Guilford Co. NC, Emily attended Guilford College in Greensboro and graduated from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. She was a Certified Public Accountant, one of the first women to practice as a CPA in North Carolina and a mentor for many aspiring CPAs. Emily was a Tax Manager in the Raleigh offices of Peat Marwick (KPMG) and of Coopers & Lybrand (Pricewaterhouse Coopers). Later, Emily was associated with Prestige Travel in Raleigh as President and Controller.
In addition to her parents, Emily was preceded in death by her sister, Betty S. Thurman and husband, Martin Thurman.
Emily is survived by her brother, Joe R. (Jean) Stafford, of Greensboro; her niece, Marcia S. (Jonathan) Manz, of Lyons, CO; and her nephew, John E. (Morgan) Stafford, of Bristol, RI. She is also survived by her great niece, Lilybet Stafford; and great nephews, Gareth Stafford and Jackson Manz. Also surviving are her aunts, Mitchie C. Hall and Marti C. Morton of Burlington, NC; and her uncle, Clark (Celeste) Causey of Liberty, NC; and many dear cousins and friends.
During the two months since cancer was diagnosed, Emily was surrounded by her family and her many friends, who loved and cared for her. She finished well.
A graveside service will be held 3 p.m. Wednesday, June 13, 2012 at Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church, Kimesville, NC.
A memorial service will be held 3 p.m., Sunday, June 17, 2012 at Christ United Methodist Church, Southern Village, Chapel Hill, NC.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to: Guilford College, Ann: Advancement Office, 5800 W. Friendly Ave., Greensboro, NC 27410; Christ UM Church, 800 Market St., Chapel Hill, NC 27516; or Galloway Ridge Charitable Foundation, 3000 Galloway Ridge, Pittsboro, NC 27213.
Arrangements for are in the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service. Online condolences may be left at www.hallwynne.com.
