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Emily Popkin Obituary
Emily Patricia Popkin (1971-2015)
died peacefully at home on
March 1, 2015 after a long struggle with multiple sclerosis. Emily was the cherished daughter of Susan and Ivan Popkin of Elkins Park PA, beloved sister of Nancy Popkin (Mark Stanback) of Davidson NC, and Deborah (Richard) Amsellem of Rockville MD, and adored aunt of Gray Stanback, Sylvie Stanback, Lauren Amsellem, and Alec Amsellem.
Emily graduated from Abington Friends School in Abington, PA and Bowdoin College in Maine and moved to Seattle to enjoy the beauty of the region. A lover of the outdoors, Emily was proud of summiting Mt. Rainier and enjoyed her work for environmental causes. In addition, Emily was dedicated to women's causes and felt strongly about promoting the dignity of everyone. Emily was a talented artist who created jewelry and paintings as long as she was able. She was an active volunteer with the National MS Society, Greater Northwest Chapter. Everyone who knew Emily was astounded by her courage, calling her brave and fearless. She met every change in her condition as a challenge, not a defeat. Emily had a wonderful sense of humor and was able to laugh at herself and her condition. Despite being dependent on others, Emily remained fiercely independent to the end. Throughout her struggles, Emily never lost her dignity, her sense of humor, her artistic aesthetic, or her love of nature and people. In addition to her immediate family, Emily is survived by her aunts, uncles, cousins, many friends, and her devoted and loving caregivers.
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Memories and Condolences
for Emily Popkin
Sponsored by The Family.
5 Entries
March 11, 2015
We had the opportunity to get to know Emily in 2000, when my husband was on a year-long sabbatical in Seattle. Her sense of humor, wit, creativity and resiliency inspired and impressed me. My father had MS, and so there was that bond as well. She enriched our lives, and will be missed. Gray said it so well. Thank you, Emily.
Amy Dibble
March 6, 2015
I started off as Emily's caregiver and 2002 and we remained friends over the years. Emily was an amazing artist. She gave me three pieces of original artwork for my birthday one year and they still hang on my wall. Emily and I would often have talks about her various adventures and her family. She didn't know it but she was inadvertently helping me with a chapter of my own life. Emily often spoke of Sylvie and Gray. I watched Gray grow up on the walls of Emily's home. Emily shared his vacume artwork with me and things he had written. She was amazed by his courage and wisdom beyond his years. When my own son was diagnosed with autism a few years ago, I wasn't afraid. Gray is autistic, and the side of him that Emily shared with me was nothing I could've ever found in books or learned from a doctor. I'm greatful for that. I'm grateful for everything she shared with me. I will miss her purple walls, funny socks, and her earing tree at christmas. We were all
Lucky to have this lady in our lives.
Gray Stanback
March 5, 2015
She was a very special person to me, and her death left a large hole in my family.
Helen Burch
March 5, 2015
I only knew her for a short time, but she had a wonderful sense of humor and demonstrated great courage.
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