Lauren Enos Emery

Lauren Enos Emery, 60
PORTLAND -- Lauren Emery left this world on April 8, 2011, after two and a half years of very intentional living with appendiceal cancer. She is now at the Rainbow Bridge, rejoined with her many beloved, departed dogs.
Lauren was born in Buffalo, N.Y., on Oct. 14, 1950, to G.D. and Nancy Enos. She met her future husband Daniel Emery in kindergarten. They were married in 1984.
She graduated from Kirkland College in Clinton, N.Y., with a Bachelor of Arts. She received a Master's of Science in Occupational Therapy from the State University of New York at Buffalo.
Following her education she worked 33 years as an occupational therapist, primarily treating hand injuries and surgeries. She worked at The Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal, Maine Medical Center in Portland, Plastic and Hand Surgical in South Portland, and since 1998 at Central Maine Orthopedics in Auburn.
Lauren became one of the first Certified Hand Therapists in Maine. She felt great satisfaction in helping her patients with hand injuries or surgeries regain their function. Her skill and caring were valued by doctors and patients alike.
She was a member of Maine Occupational Therapy Association ('MeOTA') and received the President's Award for her contributions to the profession.
She found much beauty in life, particularly in the natural world, flower gardening, and art. The colors of the sky, shapes of clouds, the face of a flower, and a beautifully crafted piece of antique jewelry all touched her artistic soul.
Lauren loved dogs. She volunteered for many years with Greyhound Placement Service and received the Glendower Award for her efforts to find homes for retired racing greyhounds. In 1993, along with a group of greyhound advocates, she helped defeat a greyhound racetrack in Old Orchard Beach and helped pass the first law in the country banning greyhound racing and simulcasting. Lauren served as President of Greyhound Placement Service of Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. She also volunteered for many years at the Animal Refuge League of Westbrook walking dogs and establishing a donation canister program, and served on their Board of Directors. She supported numerous Dalmatian
Lauren Enos Emery
rescue groups around the country.
Lauren was a tester/observer for Therapy Dogs, Inc., and a well known volunteer for 11 years at Brentwood Rehab and Nursing Center in Yarmouth, which she visited often with her Therapy Dog Greyhounds Bernie and Eagle, and Dalmatians Chili and Kit Kat.
Lauren was a wonderful photographer. Celebrating Greyhounds magazine published multitudes of her photographs and articles and their calendars repeatedly included her lovely photographs.
Lauren enjoyed cross country skiing on her property in North Yarmouth, and worked out regularly at the Casco Bay YMCA for many years.
Lauren was known far and wide for her offbeat sense of humor, and was easily recognizable with her gorgeous red hair.
Lauren and Dan are grateful for the care of Dr. Lisa Rutstein and Dr. Devon Evans and their staffs, Lauren's Hospice nurse Becky Howland, and the staffs at Hospice of Southern Maine and Gosnell Memorial Hospice House. Many dear friends and co- workers have shown love and support in many ways.
Lauren is survived and will be greatly missed by her loving husband, Dan of North Yarmouth; her relatives including in-laws Nancy, Gwen and Frank Emery; beloved nieces, Molly Golden and Sara Cahill, nephew, Owen Emery; cousin, Jenny Coppins and her husband Doug Sleeper, cousin, Elizabeth McGowan and her husband Don Looney; her many wonderful friends; and her Dalmatians, Kit Kat and Remy.
A celebration of Lauren's life will be held on Sunday, May 15, 2011, from 2-5 p.m., at the Harraseeket Inn in Freeport. All interested in remembering Lauren are welcome. Arrangements are under the guidance of Independent Death Care, 660 Brighton Ave., Portland.
While she loved flowers in life, Lauren requested that in lieu of flowers donations in her memory may be made to the animal shelter of your choice, to Coastal Maine Botanical Garden in Boothbay,
to The Portland Museum of Art,
or to the Farnsworth Art
Museum in Rockland.