Our sweet Emily Dade stepped out of this life and into the light on Sunday, July 15. Her journey on earth ended peacefully at home, embraced by her family, and lifted up by their love and that of her many friends.
Beautiful, spirited, compassionate, funny and very, very brave. Emilys four-year walk with breast cancer touched and inspired everyone she met. She more than lived up to her given name, Thankful.
Emily was so happy to mark her 30th birthday on June 6, by celebrating with a cheering crowd and her favorite dessert: her moms pineapple-upside down cake.
Emily and her soul mate and husband Gary, met nine years ago at a perfume counter. Their whirlwind romance became a strong marriage and welcoming home to their two children, Alexander, 7, and Dorothy, 4. Emily was devoted to Gary and her kids above all and loved to be with them, reading, playing games and doing crafts. Together the Dades enjoyed trips to Disneyland, Hawaii, San Diego, Canada; annual campouts and Christmas get-togethers with their extended family.
Emily was very close to her family; parents, Ric and Lori Packard, of Oak Harbor, Wash.; siblings, Amanda (and Cory) Bennett, Maggie (and Jake) Liljenquist and Andrew Packard; and grandma, Dorothy Packard as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. One of her greatest joys was being Auntie Em to niece, Sophie and nephew, Leif.
The Dades moved to Marysville, Wash., in 2004 after living in the San Francisco Bay area in California, Las Vegas, Nev., Minneapolis and Pennsylvania. Emily made lasting friendships through Moms groups and her love for stamping and card-making. She served as president of the Marysville Moms club. Her Tulips became an amazing support system, throwing a surprise renewal ceremony for Emily and Gary, planting a garden, cooking, cleaning and doing a million little things to help out.
Emily graduated in 1995 from Hudsons Bay High School in Vancouver, Wash.
and studied community health and psychology at the University of Roche
ster in New York. She had hoped someday to become a nurse. She was active in the Northwest Young Survivors Coalition and at Harmony Hill Retreat Center, drawing strength from those who had walked the path before her and mentoring newly diagnosed young women.
Emily kept in touch throughout her illness with an eloquently journaled website, signing each message, Love, Light and Joy. When it became clear that Emilys time was limited, people came from across the country to give her one last hug. She especially appreciated her mom, sisters, Aunt Kathy and sister-in-law Bridget for their help during this time.
A member of Everett Unity Church, Emily was welcomed home to heaven by her Papa Packard, younger brothers, Joseph and Thomas; Aunt Dorothy (Prince), and Grandma and Grandpa Densley.
A celebration of Emilys life was held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 22, 2007, at the Unity Church, 3231 Colby Avenue, Everett, Wash.
Memorial donations for Dorothy and Alexanders college fund and Harmony Hill Retreat Center may be made in memory of Emily Dade at any Washington Mutual Bank. Remembrances may also be offered at Emilys website, www.carepages.com (search for TEmilyJDade).