Eileen Lucille Emerson

Okemos, Michigan

Eileen was born August 22, 1922 in Chicago, Illinois, and died on March 25, 2012 at the age of 89. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Emerson, long time Manager of the Kellogg Center at Michigan State University, and her brother Robert Kane. Eileen and Bob were institutions in East Lansing, with deep and abiding friendships through their work at the Kellogg Center at Michigan State, their volunteer work at Ingham Medical Center, their involvement in the Alumni Association of The School of Hospitality Business at MSU, and their membership at St. Thomas Aquinas. With no children of her own, Eileen was the surrogate mother and grandmother to many. She was a loving and positive presence who always walked on the sunny side of life. Ever the epitome of graciousness and class, Eileen was also quick to laugh and share an irreverent joke. She had an unintentional way of drawing people to her, simply by being kind and caring, always thinking of others. It was noted several times that when she moved to Burcham Hills Health and Rehabilitation Center almost a year and a half ago, the entire atmosphere on the third floor became happier, more positive, and friendlier, owing to Eileen’s presence and personal qualities. And she deeply and sincerely appreciated the care she received there. Her Irish heritage could be seen in her outgoing personality and caring manner, which provided her with many lifelong friends throughout the Lansing area. To know Eileen was to love her. Eileen is survived by her brother, William (Gloria) Kane; niece, Susan (Dale) Kasten, great niece Kimberly Kasten, great nephew Kevin (Kelli) Kasten, all of Illinois; nephew Scott (Roxanne) Kane and great niece and nephews, Austin, Nikki and Sydney all of Wisconsin; and niece Loretta (David) Hoock of New York. She is also survived by her “Michigan Family”, Ron and Shelley Cichy, Laurie Eyres and Normand Gilbert, Peter and Roberta Fugazzi, Cathy Hicks, Monsignor George Michalek, and Stephen and Carol Terry. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 955 Alton Rd, East Lansing on Thursday, March 29, at Noon. There will be a procession from St. Thomas to St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery for the Rite of Committal at 2:15 p.m. The family will receive friends at the church on Wednesday from 6:00-7:30 p.m., where a Rosary will be prayed at 7:00 p.m. The family will also receive friends at the church on Thursday 1 hour prior to the service. Those desiring may make contributions to St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 955 Alton Rd., East Lansing, MI 48823 in Eileen’s memory. On line condolences may be made at www.greastlansing.com Many thanks to the wonderful and caring staff at the Burcham Hills Center for Health and Rehabilitation.