Emma Jane Finlay
December 7, 1936 - August 1, 2012
Obituary
On December 7, 1936 Emma Dillard was born in Arvada, Colorado. Five years later her family moved to Bremerton, Washington when her father accepted a position at the Bremerton Naval Ship Yard. She grew up and went to school in Bremerton. In 1959 while working at Sea-Tac airport she met another airline employee named Ron, went on a date and became engaged 9 days later and in two months began life together which lasted over 52 years, and having 2 boys. The first years living on a lake in Issaquah, Washington and becoming engaged there in church life, raising children, and started attending Bible Study Fellowship. In 1974 she and her husband determined to enter the Christian ministry and moved to seminary in Johnson City Tennessee. During this time an event changed her life forever: the oldest boy was hit by a car and suffered a serious brain injury. She cared for him, took him to doctors and rehabilitation programs, and helped return to life. Later they moved back to the Seattle area where they both became involved in the Brain Injury Association of Washington. For 13 years she served as a program leader and family counselor on the staff of BIAWA, retiring in 2000. Last year that organization initiated a scholarship program for survivors of Brain Injury and professionals in the field. They named that program the Emma Finlay Brain Injury Survivor Scholarship Program. The last year and a half she struggled with cancer, and on August 1st she was overcome by it.
Anyone who would like to make a memorial gift to her memory is invited to make it to the Brain Injury Association of Washington, at THE BIAWA, P.O. Box 3044, Seattle, WA 98114. On the “for” line designate “Emma Finlay Scholarship Program”. This is a 501C3 non-profit organization.
Video Slide Show:
http://smilebox.com/playBlog/4d7a49334e6a457a4e44413d0d0a&blogview=true
I will remember Emma Jane for her smile and grace. I have waited on Ron and Emma for years down at Wally’s, and even at her weakest, she always gave me the tightest, strongest hugs~ I will miss her dearly.
Ron: Please know that you and your family are in my prayers, God Bless you ~
Friendship always,
Sue & Family
What a wonderful lady (emphasis on lady). She will be missed. My prayers for her soul and for you all the fmaily.
May the Lord uplift you and your family in this time of grief.
Em and Ron were two of Terry Home’s biggest supporters in the beginning and they were also there for me as the mother of
TBI victim. I will miss Em dearly. She was a great inspiration
to me and our family.
May God be with those who loved her.