Emma Katherine Mitchell Dagon

Emma Katherine (Mitchell) Dagon, 87, of East Hartford, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on August 23, 2015. Emma was born on April 6, 1928 in Egypt, PA to the late Joseph and Katherine (Haberern) Mitchell. Emma is survived by her husband Francis (Fife) James Dagon. They were married on May 1, 1948 and enjoyed 67 happy and wonderful years together.

Emma is survived by her seven children; sons Francis Dagon, Jr. of East Windsor and David Dagon and his wife Deren of Mansfield, five daughters, Susan (Dagon) Levasseur and her husband Wayne of South Windsor, Elizabeth Dagon of East Hartford, Linda (Dagon) Wilson and her husband Randy of Woodstock, Katherine (Dagon) Cordeira and her fiancé Jayce Edwards of South Windsor, and Evelyn (Dagon) Denis of North Windham. Emma also leaves, to mourn her passing, two brothers John Mitchell and his wife Della and William Mitchell and his wife Carol, both of South Windsor. Her sisters Anna Nasuta and Helen Knowles and a brother Joseph Mitchell predeceased Emma. She also leaves many nieces and nephews.

Emma’s family was the joy of her life and she took great pride in providing her loving husband and seven children with a joyous home. Emma’s homemade jelly was enjoyed by her family and lovingly offered to friends. Emma loved to embroider and affectionately gifted her embroidered pillowcases to her children, 22 wonderful grandchildren Alesha Dagon, Suzy-lynne & Brad Williams, Francis Dagon, Andrew Fitzgerald, Anna & Thomas Hartney, Joseph Levasseur, Kathryn Levasseur, William & Aline Levasseur, Richard Thibodeau, Christy Thibodeau, Jennifer Thibodeau, Karen Thibodeau, Jeffrey & Chau Wilson, Adam & Jennifer Wilson, Calvin Cordeira, Emma Cordeira, Dexter Cordeira, Grace Cordeira, Emily Denis, James Denis, Jennifer & Christopher Bennet, Sarah & James Gilbert and 19 beautiful great grandchildren; Collin & Dylan Prescher, Julia, Jacob & Jared Williams, Francis Dagon, Lucas & Isaac Levasseur, Andrew Restrepo, Payton Sidavong, Kaelin & Aidan Soukaloun, Logan & Abigail Bessette, Ryder Wilson, Kyla & Megan Bennet, Samuel & Luke Gilbert.

She appreciated laundry drying outdoors on the line, and the look and smell of a freshly starched and ironed fire department uniform dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up just right. Emma enjoyed evenings on the porch at the Camp in New Hampshire with the love of her life “Fipey” watching the rain come across the lake, and the sunsets, and listening for loons. Emma loved her Saturday morning polkas. She played a mean game of 31, loved a good ripe tomato, thrift shops and the “perfect cup of tea”. To say she had a strong will to live would be an understatement. Emma had a fortitude formed by her deep faith and trust in God and she endured the many challenges to her health with a steadfast and beautiful grace.

Emma’s family and friends have been truly blessed to have her in our lives to parent, guide, love and cherish us.

Funeral services will be on Friday, August 28 at 9:00am at Newkirk & Whitney Funeral Home, 318 Burnside Avenue, East Hartford, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10am at Saint Rose Church, 33 Church Street, East Hartford. Burial will follow in Saint Mary Cemetery, East Hartford. Calling hours are Thursday, August 27 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to all of Emma’s doctors for the loving care they showed her over the years. The family also wishes to thank her caregivers from Masonicare, especially Christina.

Special thanks and appreciation to the Firefighter/EMTs, and Paramedics of the East Hartford Fire Department who were always attentive and kind. In lieu of flowers, donations in Emma’s memory may be made to the East Hartford EMS Commission c/o the East Hartford Fire Department, 31 School Street, East Hartford, CT 06108. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.newkirkandwhitney.com