I met Emma Kania in 1983, when her daughter Jan and I were dating.  Mr. Kania and I were both Army Vets. We bonded early. On New Year’s Eve that year I was invited to the Kanias to ring in 1984. That was also the night I proposed to Jan. That night I knew I had been truly welcomed into the family when Mrs. Kania invited me to call her Emma. My own mother’s name. So now I was to have two Moms named Emma. How cool is that?
 
Emma was a dear, kind-hearted woman. That is true! But I wondered what was behind that spark in her eyes, and that Red Hair. Well, she liked to play cards. Well, to WIN! She never said that she liked to win, it was her method of play that gave it away. Card games with Emma also included my mom on visits at the lake.  Emma liked to win. So did my mom... 

Emma also liked to fish. Frank hooked a big one on our small fishing boat one afternoon at the lake. Guess who almost capsized the boat leaning over to see it?  Her exuberance was there in fishing,  just like in playing cards.  And Frank lost the fish.  
What I also discovered about that RedHead was when she drives, you’d better buckle up!  In 1989, Emma drove us to Mike and Christine’s wedding.  We left a few minutes late, but arrived 30 minutes early. Emma loved to drive and had a lead foot. From then on I always buckled up when she drove.  After Frank passed, Emma came with us on many trips to the Lake and Ocean City where, yes, we played cards. Who won most often?  Either Emma or Jan.  Jan has a lot of her mom in her. 

After I retired, I spent a lot of time with Emma taking her to appointments and errands and to visit Burt on the farm.  She loved stopping at iHop to enjoy her Rudy, Jr.  

It was wonderful having Emma Elizabeth Kania in my life. I got a second mother, someone I truly enjoyed spending time with. She gave me a wife I love, another Brother and Sister-in-Law and 2 wonderful Nieces, as well as the extended Wright Family.  
I miss her.  

My mother was the most incredible woman I have ever known.  Loving.  Nurturing.  Fearless.  Strong.   Intelligent.  Talented.  Hardworking.  Honest to a fault.  Truly Selfless.  A proud Army Wife who staunchly stood next to her husband in his every endeavor.  An amazing Mother -- our protector, teacher, disciplinarian and best friend.  Through her every word and deed, Mom gave us the knowledge, skills and abilities to be successful. 

I am blessed with thousands of wonderful memories with Mom.  Many of them involve our antique hunts that began when I was a little girl. Mom would buy all types of old furniture, and we would imagine where they came from, and what stories they could tell. I spent hours sitting on a stool in Mom and Dad’s workshop talking with Mom while she restored these relics back to their former glory.  Our antique hunts continued well into my adulthood.  At a Catalog Auction in 1986, I won the bid on an 18th Century William & Mary Tavern Table.  Mom didn’t care for that table much and cautioned me on buying it, but since I graduated from William and Mary and love colonial history, I had to have it.   As we did in the past, I was now imagining Colonists discussing Revolution over this very table at a tavern, somewhere in the 13 Colonies. It was very old and full of secrets!  When Antiques Roadshow came to Richmond in 1998, we took that table to get it appraised.  The table passed reviews to make it all the way to Leigh and Leslie Keno, famed American Antique experts!  They confirmed the table to be authentic, mid 18th century, and appraised it at a value 40 times what I paid for it.   Mom really liked that table after that!  

On August 21st, 2019, we laid our Mother to rest at Arlington Cemetery where Dad has been waiting for 21 years.  It gladdened our hearts knowing they are together again, and remembering those past 21 years with mom.  We did not waste a day of them.  

Mom, Know you are Missed, and that You will be Loved… Forever.


Over the last few weeks we have all looked back on the years that Mom was a part of our day-to-day lives, and how she continues to be as well.  Jan and I were blessed with a “fairy tale” childhood full of love, guidance and family provided by our Mom and Dad.  And looking back, Mom and Dad always showed deep love and respect for each other.  Chris and I have worked hard to provide the same love, guidance and family for Megan and Holly, rich in experience that they can look back on as we now are and provide for their families.  

As family, we have worked to ensure that Mom (their Grandma), and Jan and Howard (their Aunt and Uncle) have always been and continue to be a part of their growing up, and that we show the love and respect for each other that Mom showed to Dad and to each of us.  She provided every opportunity for us, encouraged us to work hard, and to be thankful for life and for each other.

Following Mom’s eulogy, several close friends acknowledged the characteristics and life that we shared about our Mom, and that they could see the impact of her love, guidance and encouragement in us.  This is a great testament to her, 

Mom, know that you are missed terribly, thought of often, loved and in our hearts forever.  Thank you for always being there with your love and support.

Mike and Christine   


I’d like to preface this by saying I imagine Grandma is with Grandpa right now, clinking champagne flutes with one another. It was one of her favorite things to drink, after all. She told me multiple times at our many visits to Heatherwood.    

One afternoon, I spent a few hours at Grandma’s house while Mom and Dad were out running errands. After passing some time rummaging through my Dad’s childhood bedroom, I remember having a horrible stomach ache. I’d like to think it was from all the candies I had stealthily eaten from that tiny crystal dish, resting on the coffee table in her living room. I went to express my ailment to her, and without hesitation, she prepared me some toast. Something simple, just white bread with some fresh butter, paired with a lukewarm ginger ale. We ate it together on the front porch; it was a warm summer day. Looking back at the memories I have of her, this one stands out the most. It epitomizes her character - she was warm, maternal, and unwaveringly selfless. I can only hope to carry these traits with me into my womanhood and strive to age as gracefully as she did. There was never a moment where she wasn’t exemplifying kindness, poise, and patience. She is truly timeless. 


There are a few things that will never be the same again, or that I won’t be able to experience without thinking of my Grandma Kania, and that’s only a good thing. I’ll never be able to look at a pair of red Isotoner gloves without thinking of how that was my Christmas gift to her year after year, or how she already had so many unopened pairs in a drawer somewhere but still looked at me like it was the best gift she ever received. Making coffee each holiday will hold a new meaning since it was always only made for her and we would all mooch off of the pot after she got her fix. Driving my Ford Escape won’t be done in the same way since it is something that will always belong to her and be one of the greatest gifts I would ever receive. But, when I drive back and forth to school in Blacksburg or around on weekend trips, I will know God is not the only one watching over me anymore, but also my loving Grandma Kania. 

Even though the days of riding in the backseat of her red mini-van and making pictures in the padded ceiling with my sister, Megan, are gone, she is with us now more than ever. I’ll miss the Christmases where Grandma insisted she wants no presents at all but upon seeing her pile, ignored our present opening order and ravenously opens them. But I am given a reason to smile because I know that she is now living her most vivacious life, and that’s something we can all celebrate every day of the year. 


Dear Jan and Mike, 
   I am so sorry to hear of your loss.  Aunt Emma was a firecracker and so regal.  When I was at Grandma's house and Aunt Emma was there, I remember her as b-u-s-y.  Most of the time, she was in the garden, but she was always busy.  She was my mother's first roommate, and I have a large professionally produced photograph of the two of them together from about 1950; they were foxes, uh?  
      She outlived all of her siblings, the whole pack, and I'll never forget her.  
      Love,
      Linda Hagen

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Emma Elizabeth Kania

17 octobre 1924 – 1 juin 2019

Demaine Funeral Home

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