Lily Irene Emery

Lily Irene Sather Emery, 108 years old, a daughter, sister, granddaughter, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, great grandmother, great great grandmother, and a good friend has gone home to heaven. Lily was born on June 2nd, 1917 in Rock Springs, Wyoming and passed away in La Mesa, San Diego on July 10th, 2025.

Lily was the youngest child of Roy Sather (1888-1965) a coal miner, and Irene (Armstrong) Sather (1892-1987) a homemaker. Lily had three siblings, Verne Sather (1915-2011) and Marie Sather Johnson Headd (1912-2001) and Roy Sather Jr. who passed away at birth.

Lily worked at Woolworth’s in Rock Springs, as a store clerk, where she met her favorite customer, Woody. Soon after meeting, Lily was married to the love of her life, on September 19th,1936, to Woodrow Wilson Emery (1913-2007). He was a manager at the Singer Sewing Machine store, a Union Pacific coal miner, a supervisor at San Diego Naval Air Station North Island, for airplane and helicopter mechanics for 29 years, a predominate realtor, landlord and loved gardening. Lily was a homemaker, baker, avid reader, and had worked in communications (often top secret) for 10 years for the Naval Air Station North Island.

In 1943, Woody and Lily moved to San Diego, where they would spend the next 70 years together in a loving marriage. They raised three wonderful children: Eugene (1938–2010), David (1942–2017), and Kathleen (Kathy) (born 1947). Lily was a devoted and energetic mother, often driving her children to sports practices, scouting events, and actively participating in the PTA. She and Woody cherished their family, hosting unforgettable holiday dinners that became beloved traditions. Together, they enjoyed attending live music concerts, walking three miles daily around Lake Murray, traveling, and spending time with their close-knit circle of friends.

Lily was known for sharing her great listening skills, positivity, love of family, homemade chocolate chip cookies, and her love of chocolate. She is dearly missed by all of us!

Lily leaves behind: Her daughter & son in law; Kathy (Emery) & Dudley Oatman Daughter in laws; Anita (Dolan) Emery, & Suzzie Gribbel.

Grandchildren; Tod & his wife Joanie Emery, Rex & his wife Chelsea Emery, Keli Emery, Christina (Emery) & her husband Steven Harrell, Rebecca (Emery) & her husband Peter Clark, Brent Oatman, Sacha (Emery) & her husband John Etzel, Shannon (Oatman) & her husband Robert Moore, Luke & his wife Julie Emery, Paul and Karen Klein.

Great grandchildren; Khai, Kawika, Travis, Jordan, Chris, Keenan, Makua, Tobias, Kristian, Isaiah, John Paul, Monica, Ethan, Chad, Brittney, Ashley, Parker, Kyla & Micah.

Great great grandchildren; Lily, Raelynn, Nico & Mason.

Nephews & nieces; Michael & his wife Jude Emery, Diane Green, Vern & his wife Ruth Johnson, Eric and his wife Robin Johnson, Joe & his wife Wongmo Emery, Dale & his wife Karen Boydston and so many more.

Many great friends & neighbors; Toni & Brenna, Shirley, Jose & Denice, Donna, Ronda, friends from Montera; Rose, Barbera, Jacqueline, Barbera, Karina and more.

Lily was preceded in death by her parents Roy & Irene, her siblings, her husband Woody, her two sons Eugene & David Emery, her daughter in law Krista Emery, Marge and Jim Green and many more family and friends she is enjoying in heaven.

Lily is laid to rest with her beloved husband, Woody, in the Bible Mausoleum, 34th Psalm, at Greenwood Memorial Park in San Diego, California.

Lily’s Celebration of Life will be on May 23rd, 2026 at 11am at Greenwood Memorial Park.

Photos & comments on Dignity Memorial website are welcomed.