Emily Cook Moore died quietly on March 27, 2014, at her home in Katama, surrounded by people who loved and cared for her. She was 89.
She was born on December 20, 1925, in Natick, the youngest child of Margaret Dudley Lewis and Arthur Rupert Cook. She spent her childhood in Wellesley, which she often recalled as an idyllic and perfect time. Stories of days spent on her pony, riding along the trails of Wellesley with her best friend, were told with great fondness.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Clinton Clark Moore, her sister, Virginia Gunter, and her brothers, John and Dudley Cook. She leaves three children, David D. Moore and his wife, Judy Lin, of Houston, Texas; Sarah D. Moore and her companion, James Prichard, of West Tisbury; and Paul C. Moore and his wife, Brenda Moore, of Naperville, Ill., and six grandchildren: Alexander Lin-Moore, Lauren and Michael DiGiulio, and Shannon, David and Brian Moore.
Emily graduated from Wheelock College in 1947 with a degree in Early Childhood Education. She was a gifted teacher of young children, having a career that began as teacher/director of the Wheelock Child Care Center. Her love for children and education continued throughout her life as she volunteered unfailingly for school committees in the school districts where her children attended.
Emily and Clint built their Katama house in 1974 and moved there permanently in 1983 after Clint’s retirement from General Electric. She loved the Island and its close community, and she was an active volunteer during her first three decades here. She served as a Hospice volunteer, taught knitting at The Anchors, served as secretary and treasurer of the Edgartown Women’s Club, and was active in the Katama Association.
Emily was a wonderful, loving mother and grandmother. Her family was the center of her world, and she had a gift of making each of her children and grandchildren feel incredibly special. She reveled in the summer family visits with a house full of her children and grandchildren. Everyone looked forward to the big lobster dinner she always prepared on one of those special Island evenings. Her family and many friends miss her deeply.
Her family is very grateful for the many caregivers who lovingly supported Emily through the last months of her life. She always referred to them as her angels.
A visitation will be held on Monday, April 7, from 5 to 7 pm at the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home, located on Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road in Oak Bluffs. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard, P.O. Box 1748, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568.