Emmy Lu Daly

Emmy Lu Daly obituary, Washingon, DC

Emmy Lu Daly

Emmy Lu Daly Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on May 17, 2024.
Emmy Lu Daly, August 4th 1923 - May 5th 2024

In a society that worships youth, Emmy Lu Daly was an inspiring role model, always saying yes to new things in old age. For example in her 80s and 90s, she gave musical performances for other seniors as the "Golden Miss M." With her husky voice and feather boa, she brought songs of the Gilded Age, Vaudeville and World War II to many different venues. Her theme song was "What a Wonderful World" and she was singing it, along with other golden oldies to the very end when she died peacefully at the VA Hospital in Washington DC on May 5, 2024.



Emmy Lu Daly was born on August 4th 1923 in Stillwater, Minnesota to Ruth Mary Schuttinger and Irving Joseph Daly, both amateur performers and musicians who ran the local newspaper. At a young age Emmy Lu started piano lessons and then was enrolled at the drama school at the Goodman Theater in Chicago. Her education was interrupted by WWII when she enlisted for two years (1944-1946) as a WAVE working on airplanes in Utah. After the war, she graduated from University of Minnesota with a BA in English Literature but yearned for a life in the theater moving to New York City joining Martha Graham's dance troupe and acting in avant-garde plays. She married in 1957 and moved to Washington D.C., had two children and was a devoted mother. She eventually divorced and moved to the British Virgin Islands where she took up deep sea fishing and won a tournament for the largest caught Blue Marlin. After a few years she returned to Washington D.C. where she found an outlet for her talents in the Kerygma theater group at The Potter's House, a coffee-house founded by Church of the Saviour. Over many years of acting and directing her creative gifts were loved and admired by many. She then joined Seekers, a Church of the Saviour community in Washington D.C. and had been an active participant for more than 30 years.



Emmy Lu supported herself in office administration roles and then worked for over a decade at L'Arche, a residential service for adults with intellectual disabilities. She was instrumental in getting a L'Arche home established in Arlington, Virginia, so her son, Fritz, could be cared for there. She retired from L'Arche at age 81 and self published a collection of her poems titled "And Then Again...". She continued to express her creativity through art classes and poetry readings, her love of movement through yoga and tai-chi and her sharp mind by daily crossword puzzles and competitive Rummikub games (which she won half the time).

Later in life Emmy Lu was fortunate to move into the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Washington DC in April 2017. She enjoyed many years of excellent care and camaraderie at the AFRH, always dressed to the nines and smiling at everyone as she zoomed around the campus from one activity to another on her power chair. She was so beloved that there were six birthday parties held in her honor for her 100th year! She was so grateful for all the attention - being center stage once again.

Emmy Lu is survived by her son Fritz Schloss of Virginia, her daughter Lisanne Schloss and her husband Richard Johnson of Michigan, her nephew Patrick Daly and his wife Margie of Oregon, her great nephew John Daly and his wife Ardith of Washington, great nephew Daniel Daly his wife Danielle and their son Lewis of Oregon and her goddaughter Maureen Matsen of Virginia. Her brother John George Daly and his wife Marjorie predeceased her. She also leaves behind a vast and varied array of dear friends that carry treasured memories of her in their hearts.

Emmy Lu Daly's memorial service will be held at Seekers Church, 276 Carroll St., N.W. Washington, D.C. 20012 on Friday May 31st at 11:00am

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to www.larche-gwdc.org.

Please make checks out to: "L'Arche Greater Washington D.C." and send to:

L'Arche GWDC

P.O. Box 21471

Washington, DC 20009

View All Photos

Add Photos to Memorial

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Sign Emmy Lu Daly's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

January 23, 2025

Beverly T posted to the memorial.

May 30, 2024

Myra Flood posted to the memorial.

May 20, 2024

Jon Clements posted to the memorial.

Beverly T

January 23, 2025

Emmy Lu was such a delightful lady! My DAR Chapter visits during the weekend when the model train club has their setup, and I enjoyed chatting with her each year. She was so full of life! The photo is from the last time I saw her in March 2024. I hadn't seen her in the gathering room, so went to her room to give her some daffodils. She was working with tech support to get her computer back in order! I will miss her.

Myra Flood

May 30, 2024

I will always treasure the experience of playing Mary Magdalene along with Emily Lu's Mother of Jesus the "The Family Portrait" at the Potter's House! My husband, Mait, was her co-star in many productions, shared life in Keregma and loved her dearly. A very special, gifted woman!
Myra Flood

Jon Clements

May 20, 2024

Emmy will be deeply missed. A true talent in the arts, but more importantly a person that defined selflessness. Her memory will remain forever in the Clements family. Jon and Rachael Clements

Tim Brundle

May 17, 2024

Emmy Lu´s spirit lives on at the Armed Forces Retirement Home. She was beloved and missed

Ann Zuniga

May 17, 2024

Emmy Lu has been such a model of how to age with style-she had a magical way of creating community through her stories, songs, and empathy. As a member of our dream group for many years, she brought many gifts to our meetings, in person and on Zoom, through her wisdom and sense of humor. We will miss her so much!

Meg Ward

May 17, 2024

An incredible woman who lived a full life filled with adventure, art, and love. She will be so missed!

James & Becki Ward

May 17, 2024

All our love to the family. She was a strong, intelligent, giving, kind, and wonderful woman. She will be sorely missed for all she gave to the world around her.

Showing 1 - 7 of 7 results

RAPP Funeral and Cremation Services - Silver Spring

933 Gist Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Make a Donation
in Emmy Lu Daly's name

How to support Emmy Lu's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Emmy Lu Daly's life and legacy
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more

Sign Emmy Lu Daly's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

January 23, 2025

Beverly T posted to the memorial.

May 30, 2024

Myra Flood posted to the memorial.

May 20, 2024

Jon Clements posted to the memorial.