Obituary for Emma Raad Willard (Raad)
Emma R Willard, age 98, a long-time Richfield MN resident, passed away on November 9, 2022. Raised in the New York City area, Emma was one of four children of Emilia and Toufic Raad. She graduated from Bay Ridge High School in Brooklyn, NY, attended Eastman Business School and New York University, and later the University of Arkansas where she majored in romance languages. She was elected to the Honorary Society of Sigma Delta Phi while at the University of Arkansas for academic excellence in romance languages. Emma is preceded in death by her husband Robert, and her son David; sisters Elena Amado and Josephine Younes, and brother Joseph Raad, and her parents. Emma is survived by daughter Barbara Foster and her husband Rod of Bloomington, MN, Tess Foster, Rick Foster, and in-law relatives including nieces/nephews in FL, IA, NH, NY and VT. Before marriage Emma worked on Wall Street in New York City as an Executive Spanish Translator and Secretary, and many years later taught Spanish to adults in Arkansas and still later at the Women’s Club in Minneapolis, MN, and the YMCA. One of her favorite quotations has its origin in classic Spanish literature: “Nuestras vidas son los rios que van a dar a la mar que es el morir---“ (“Our lives are like the rivers that flow into the ocean to die---“).
Married to Robert during the Korean War, Emma lived in Tacoma, WA when her husband was in the US Army at Fort Lewis, WA, later in Framingham Center, MA for a brief time while her husband finished his graduate studies at Boston University and at Wellesley College, and then in Fayetteville, AR where he was an assistant professor of geology at the University of Arkansas. In the early 1960’s, she moved to MN with her husband and family when he joined the US Bureau of Mines at its mining research center. Decades later she spent winter vacations in Florida with her husband as well as winter months there during his retirement years. Emma was an avid bridge player, for a time at the Bridge Studio in South Minneapolis, at the Senior Center in Richfield, and also in Florida. In addition she was a 25-year member of the MN Valley Country Club, an avid opera buff (who saw Pavarotti perform multiple times), and member of the Twin Cities Opera Guild. Always a devoted housewife and homemaker, she did take time out to travel abroad on tours to Europe and South America. Mom also traveled to attend opera in Chicago and the Ordway, in addition to attending MN Orchestra Hall events with both her husband and daughter.
An exceptionally kind-hearted person, Emma “had a heart twice as large as her body”, especially for her family, and gave generously in all ways possible. Perhaps that spirit touched many who gave to mom recently including Meg @MHealth Fairview Clinic/Dr. Idelkope’s team, nurses at MHealth Fairview Southdale hospital, and Grace Hospice. Mom loved flowers and was graced by neighbors who frequently gave her bouquets; mom also loved going to lunch… Sunday lunch was reserved for Emma and Barbara’s lunch outings.
Donations in her memory should be directed to St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Attention Father Tracy/discretionary fund, 1416 SE 2nd Terrace, Deerfield Beach, FL, 33441; MN Masonic Home, Attention: Chaplain Kandace/discretionary chapel fund, 11501 Masonic Home Drive, Bloomington, MN, 55437; or, donor/s of choice.
Celebration of Life will be in 2023, with a private family & friend viewing in November, 2022. Interment is in the family lot at Melrose Cemetery in Brockton, MA.
www.GILLBROTHERS.com
Married to Robert during the Korean War, Emma lived in Tacoma, WA when her husband was in the US Army at Fort Lewis, WA, later in Framingham Center, MA for a brief time while her husband finished his graduate studies at Boston University and at Wellesley College, and then in Fayetteville, AR where he was an assistant professor of geology at the University of Arkansas. In the early 1960’s, she moved to MN with her husband and family when he joined the US Bureau of Mines at its mining research center. Decades later she spent winter vacations in Florida with her husband as well as winter months there during his retirement years. Emma was an avid bridge player, for a time at the Bridge Studio in South Minneapolis, at the Senior Center in Richfield, and also in Florida. In addition she was a 25-year member of the MN Valley Country Club, an avid opera buff (who saw Pavarotti perform multiple times), and member of the Twin Cities Opera Guild. Always a devoted housewife and homemaker, she did take time out to travel abroad on tours to Europe and South America. Mom also traveled to attend opera in Chicago and the Ordway, in addition to attending MN Orchestra Hall events with both her husband and daughter.
An exceptionally kind-hearted person, Emma “had a heart twice as large as her body”, especially for her family, and gave generously in all ways possible. Perhaps that spirit touched many who gave to mom recently including Meg @MHealth Fairview Clinic/Dr. Idelkope’s team, nurses at MHealth Fairview Southdale hospital, and Grace Hospice. Mom loved flowers and was graced by neighbors who frequently gave her bouquets; mom also loved going to lunch… Sunday lunch was reserved for Emma and Barbara’s lunch outings.
Donations in her memory should be directed to St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Attention Father Tracy/discretionary fund, 1416 SE 2nd Terrace, Deerfield Beach, FL, 33441; MN Masonic Home, Attention: Chaplain Kandace/discretionary chapel fund, 11501 Masonic Home Drive, Bloomington, MN, 55437; or, donor/s of choice.
Celebration of Life will be in 2023, with a private family & friend viewing in November, 2022. Interment is in the family lot at Melrose Cemetery in Brockton, MA.
www.GILLBROTHERS.com