Emily Gilmartin

Emily Gilmartin, 92, made her transition on Mother's Day, May 9, 2010. Emily lived independently in her turn-of-the century family home in Sparks, Nevada and on Friday, just two days before her passing, was pursuing the renewal of her driver's license.
Emily was born in Beulah, May 17, 1917, a location in Northern Nevada that no longer exists on a map. She and her six siblings were born to her mother Minnie Diessner and delivered by her father Oscar G. Diessner, Sr. The family cultivated their ranch home in Via, Nevada and were raised by humble means. The independent girl left home and arrived in Cedarville, California where she achieved her high school diploma by earning her keep cooking for the haying crew of the Power's family. She came to Reno to enroll in the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), anticipating scholarship funds that were not available when she arrived. With no place to stay, and relying on her Catholic faith, she went to St. Mary's Hospital to meet with Sister Saraphine, who not only employed her working on the switchboard, but was also instrumental in getting her into UNR. Emily was allowed a special teaching certificate because of the war and became a teacher in Gerlach, Nevada. She relocated to Wadsworth, where she met the love-of-her-life, John Gilmartin, the principal. They married and taught on a rural circuit. From Wadsworth they adventured to Mina and transferred to Gerlach, where Emily taught as an elementary school teacher until 1965. After her husband's death in 1963, and upon her son Terry's graduation from high school in 1965, she moved to Sparks to finalize her four-year degree. Emily completed her bachelor of arts in elementary education. She then taught at Lena Juniper Elementary School for the duration of her career, retiring at the age of 62 to enjoy life, never realizing that she would enjoy it to the age that she did. Emily was a master of friendship, the matriarch of the family, enjoyed writing, cooking, sewing, playing the organ, singing, family activities, had a zest for life and shared her incredible sense of humor with family and friends. She was devoted to the Catholic church and was an incredible example of faith, generosity, kindness, and acceptance, with her motto of "We are all God's children."
She is survived by her son Terry Gilmartin (Robbie), her siblings Bertha Cochran, Oscar Diessner (Betty), and Helen Lotz, her daughter-in-law Michelle Dondero, grandchildren Mark Gilmartin, Denise Bouley (Charlie), Dana Trimble (Robin), seven great-grand-children, and her sidekick of five years, "Kitty Cat." She was preceded by her sisters Olga Heckey and Emma Winans, brother Erwin Diessner, her husband John Gilmartin and his beloved son John Dondero, and brothers-in-law Jack Lotz, Bill Heckey, Joe Cochran, and Jack Winans.
Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held on Monday, May 17, 2010 at 6:30 pm at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 2900 N. McCarran Blvd., Sparks. A viewing will be held prior to the Rosary. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am Tuesday, May 18th at the church. Burial will follow at Our Mother of Sorrows Cemetery.
Memorial contributions would be appreciated to SBCA of Northern Nevada, 401 Vine Street, Reno, NV 89503.
Arrangements are under the direction of Walton Funeral Home in Reno.