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Eaton, Emily B.	Return to Obituaries
Eaton, Emily B.
Age: 12 Passed Away: 2009-06-17 Funeral Home: Brainard
Emily B. Eaton, age 12, passed away at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield on Wednesday, June 17, 2009, in the arms of her parents, Dale and Jennifer Eaton of Rib Mountain. Emily was born in Wausau on March 21, 1997. Even as a toddler, those who knew Emily noticed an angelic quality about her. Emily went to preschool at the A.C. Kiefer Educational Center prior to attending Rib Mountain Elementary School. While a student at Rib Mountain, Emily was a frequent “Star Citizen” for her infinite kindness. Her D.A.R.E. essay was chosen for presentation at graduation in 5th grade, and her speech is still remembered by all in attendance. Emily completed 6th grade at John Muir Middle School in June, 2009, where she was a “Citizen of the Month” for her enduring compassion for others. She was well-known and beloved not only by her own teachers, aides and classmates, but by hundreds of other students, teachers, staff, custodians, crossing guards and others with whom she came into contact. Emily loved music, and sang with the Wausau Conservatory of Music for many concerts, as well as the St. Matthew’s Catholic Church children’s choir. An animated performer, Emily often had leading roles in productions, and brought down the house with her karaoke performances, and ability to sing perfectly in foreign dialects. She also loved Pokémon, swimming and playing in the water, and had a great affection for pigs. Emily had a collection of dozens of stuffed pigs, each of whom she named. Affectionately, she wanted to be a pig farmer when she grew up, raising the animals to be so-called “therapy pigs” for special needs children. Emily remembered hundreds of names effortlessly, and always greeted people with a cheerful smile, likely accompanied by a hug and a sincere compliment. Her greetings were as heartfelt for strangers as they were for her closest friends and family, whom she loved passionately. During her frequent hospitalizations, Emily would shout out encouragement to elderly patients as she was wheeled past their rooms, noting the name posted next to the patient’s door, and calling out, “I hope you feel better Joe!” or “You’re doing great, Betty!” Emily touched more hearts in twelve years than most people do in eighty or ninety. Her kindness and pervasive happiness were not an act. It was just who she was. She was truly one of God’s masterpieces. Emily will be remembered fondly, and missed profoundly, by all those who knew her, and some who only knew her by the hundreds of storied repeated by people influence by her huge heart. It is her family’s hope that Emily’s spirit will live on through others, and that those whom she touched will honor her memory by reaching out to others the way Emily reached out to them, even as strangers. Survivors include her parents, Dale and Jennifer Eaton, Rib Mountain; her sister and best friend, Olivea Eaton, at home; maternal grandparents, William and Pay Loy, Rib Mountain; paternal grandparents Albert and Hazel Eaton, Camden, Maine; maternal great-grandparents, Edward and Bernice Strozinski, Mosinee; her lifelong nanny, Tanya (Scott) Strek, Weston, and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. She is further survived by many other teachers, aides, therapist, doctors and others who played important roles in her life, and that she truly loved. Visitation and a celebration of Emily’s life will be held at the Great Hall on Arts Block, 401 N. 5th Street, Wausau from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Monday, June 22nd, 2009. The celebration will be a reflection of Emily’s relentlessly positive spirit, with food and beverages, music and children’s activities. A funeral Mass will be held at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 221 S. 28th Avenue, Wausau at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009, with a luncheon to follow. Rev. Robert C. Thorn will officiate. Visitation will take place from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established for a benevolent purpose to be determined at a later date, and consistent with Emily’s enduring spirit. Memorials should be made payable to “Eaton, John, Overbey & Welles Trust Account” and sent to Eaton, John, Overbey & Welles, LLP, 513 Grant Street, Wausau, WI 54403, with reference to the Emily B. Eaton Memorial Fund. Brainard Funeral Home, Wausau is assisting the family with arrangements. On-line condolences may be given at www.brainardfuneral.com.

Posted by: Bethany Location: Wausau, WI
Emily was the niceset and most caring person that I had ever met. Her loss will not be forgotten easily. We all are really going to miss you Em!