Emily was born at home in Brackenridge, Pennsylvania to John and Antoinette Homolek in 1932. She moved to Michigan as a child, and though she spent her last years in Chicago, her heart never left that Great Lake state.
More pictures and audio to come…visit again soon!
Emily passed peacefully Tuesday, January 21, 2020, surrounded by her kids. She was preceded in death by loving husband Joe and brother Dan. Emily was a wonderful wife to Joe and mother to Cindy, Joe, Maria, and Sam. Also survived by daughter-in-law Katie Brose and son-in-law Michael Hannan. Emily loved and was loved by her grandchildren Rose, Celia, Max, Joe and Will.
Along with being a guiding force in her family, the other role she excelled at was being a neighbor and part of her community. She moved several times and each time she became central to her neighborhood. She was there for anyone that needed her. The fact that Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood filmed its formative years in Pennsylvania is a coincidence with meaning. It was always “a beautiful day in the neighborhood“ if Emily was a part of your neighborhood.
Emily was proud of her career as a nurse after graduating from Mercy College of Nursing in Michigan. She played different professional roles, but her passion was working with children.
Over the years Emily showed that real strength comes from how you handle life in good times and in bad. When she lost her husband Joe too early, instead of bitterness, she just showed love. Later, when she lost her mobility, there was not blame or self pity, just love. When she became less verbal, she still communicated what was in her heart through the smiles she gave and the twinkle in her eyes.
Everyone wants to leave some kind of legacy. Emily cared for everyone she came in contact with, even those outside of her circle of family and friends. Her legacy was love without conditions or demands.