Emily May (Hartley) Walker

Emily May (Hartley) Walker

Emily Walker passed away on Aug 30, 2024 in Gainesville, FL.

She was born on December 8, 1930 in Ashtabula County, OH.

She had been a resident of Gainesville FL, residing with her daughter Rebecca (Walker) Carr for the last eleven years. Emily was the fifth of six children born to her parents, Frederick and Alice (Owens) Hartley in Williamsfield, OH. She was a graduate of Williamsfield HS and a former employee of The Carlisle Allen Company in Ashtabula,OH. Emily married Maynard Walker in 1950. They enjoyed 61 years of marriage before his passing in 2011. She was also preceded by her parents and all of her siblings, Marion Thomas, Robert Hartley, Thomas Hartley, Ruth (Hartley) Wason, and Dorothy (Hartley) Davis.

Left to mourn her passing are Emily and Maynard’s four daughters, Rebecca Carr, widow of Rev. David Carr of Gainesville FL, Diana Strawbridge (Charles) of Ashtabula, OH Valerie Vanderlip (Jeff) of Louisville,KY and Asheville, NC Lisa Masselli of Clearwater, FL Emily’s grandchildren are Jason(Crystal) Carr, John (Melody)Carr, Steven (Amanda)Carr, Tim Strawbridge , Bryan Strawbridge, Carl Vanderlip, Cameron Vanderlip, Maxwell (Madison)Vanderlip, Bret Masselli, and Alex Masselli. She was adored by all her great grandchildren, from her oldest Seth (21), Logan, Ethan, Liam, Gavin, Emma, Jack, to one year-old Lily Mei. Emily is also mourned and remembered by her sister-in-law, Roberta Loudenslager-Loewy and brother- in-law Dr. Edward (Barbara) Walker. Emily enjoyed being a host mother to American Field Service exchange student Antonio Farroco Jr of Lisbon, Portugal. Both she and Maynard considered Tony the son they never had. Emily is also remembered by her dear friends, Mary Ekholm, of Jefferson, OH, whom she spoke with daily, and Angela Williams, her private duty nurse.

Emily was a member of Bethel Life Church, Greenville, PA. She was an avid reader. She adored being outdoors admiring flowers and gardening, bird identification and feeding, animal rescue, writing letters and playing Scrabble. We remember our mother rescuing animals in all weather and situations. She took many cats and dogs to be neutered and spayed. She planted flowers in many places, sometimes in secret, to surprise friends and always by the graves of our loved ones.

She canned strawberry jam and pickles. Emily kept her family well fed with delicious meals. Emily supported many causes that touched her heart. She was a passionate pro life supporter and defender who donated her time, talent and treasure where she was led. She was a board member at Samaritan House for years. She sewed dresses for children in orphanages in Costa Rica and financially supported the Love a Child ministry in Haiti. Additionally, she supported well drilling projects for people in need around the world. Within the US, she contributed to Native American ministries improving health, welfare and education.

Calling hours will be held Saturday, September 14th from 10:00am to 12:00pm with funeral service to follow at Fleming & Billman Funeral Home, 526 W. Prospect Rd. Ashtabula, Ohio 44004. Emily will be buried beside her husband, Maynard, at Edgewood Cemetery, Ashtabula, OH.

Donations in her memory may be made to any of the following: Samaritan House, Ashtabula, OH Bethel Life Worship Center, Greenville PA. Sira Medical Clinic Gainesville, FL Mya Women’s Center Ashtabula, OH The Ashtabula Arts Center, Ashtabula, OH

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