She was born on January 24th, 1935 in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania to Richard and Mina Thomson, who later relocated the family to Patterson, then Belmar, New Jersey.
After attending business school and living for a time in New York City, New York, she entered civil service with the U.S. State Department. Fluent in both Spanish and Armenian, she was assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, Mexico, where she met, and later after duty in Washington, D.C. married her husband of 42 years, GySgt(R) William V. “Bill” Schrader (December 3rd, 2001).
Upon Bill’s retirement in 1972 they settled in Florida, first in the Orlando area, then Jacksonville. While in Jacksonville Emma was the Executive Secretary to the Director of Public Works and Sanitation.
She is survived by their sons Thomas (Maureen), John (Anmy), and Mark (Beth); granddaughter Caitlin; and grandson William.
Memorialization will be held at a later date, with burial at Arlington National Cemetery, where she will join her Marine.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots or other charitable organizations assisting those in need during the Holiday Season.