Emily Ruth Frick

Born February 6, 1947, in Washington, D.C., to Elihu and Ruth Frick, Emily grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland, alongside her three brothers, Dane, John, and Robert. Her life would eventually take her far beyond Maryland and become one filled with travel, adventure, friendship, and plenty of great stories.

During her high school years, Emily’s family moved to Bangkok, Thailand, where she attended the International School of Bangkok (ISB) and graduated in 1965. Her years in Thailand remained a treasured part of her life. She stayed connected to the ISB alumni community and held onto the beautiful pieces, memories, and stories she collected there throughout her lifetime.

After returning to the United States, Emily attended the University of Memphis, where she studied fashion merchandising. She later owned an arts and crafts store in Isle of Palms, South Carolina, and spent years enjoying life near the beach before another adventure called.

Emily eventually traded the beach for the Arizona desert and began the career for which so many would remember her. She became a flight attendant with America West Airlines in Phoenix and spent more than 25 years in the skies. Her career carried her through the airline’s transition to US Airways and ultimately American Airlines, from which she retired in 2014. She received numerous commendations for her outstanding service, which came as no surprise to those who knew her. Emily was warm, outgoing, funny, and famously never met a stranger.

Travel wasn’t simply Emily’s career. It was part of who she was. Even after retirement, she continued exploring the world, researching destinations and dreaming up her next adventure.

Above all, Emily loved her family fiercely. She was a devoted sister, aunt, great-aunt, and great-great-aunt who took enormous joy in the lives of her family. She was deeply loved in return.

Emily will be remembered for her beautiful smile, her laughter, her stories, her adventurous spirit, and her remarkable ability to connect with people wherever she went. She lived a life that crossed oceans and continents and left countless people with wonderful memories to carry forward.

Emily is survived by her brothers, Dane Frick and John Frick, along with her beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, extended family, and many dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Elihu and Ruth Frick, and her brother, Robert Frick.

A celebration of Emily’s life will be held at a future date, when family and friends will gather to share stories, laughter, and memories of a life well lived.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Emily’s memory are invited to make a donation to Hospice of the Valley or the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD).

Fly high, Emily. The skies were always where you belonged.