Emily Burr Garritt Toohey

1922 - 2024

Emily Burr Garritt Toohey
September 15, 1922 - June 13, 2024
Emily Burr Garritt Toohey
May her Soul rest in Peace
Born: Boston, MA September 15, 1922, and died peacefully in her home 3 months shy of 102 years, on June 13, 2024 (her father's birthday).
Parents: Robert Hall Garritt and Grace O'Neil. Siblings: Robert Hall Garritt, Jr. and Dorothy Garritt Gayer; all of whom predeceased Emily. She grew up in West Newton, MA, attended Beaver Country Day School, and then Smith College.
In the 1940s, she worked in various capacities, but spent a great deal of time volunteering, most notably with the Red Cross during the war years. She married Frederick William Toohey "Ted", on September 25, 1948. He died in 1989.
Em and Ted had 4 children: Ann Burr Toohey; Peter Garritt Toohey, married to Deborah Jean Kurry, grandchild: Peter Garritt Toohey, Jr., married to Mara Monica Mortera, great-grandchildren: Sascha Grace Toohey and Norah Jean Toohey, grandchild: Tekla Burr Toohey, married to Jason Ross Cutlip, great-grandchildren: Dallas Brooks Cutlip and Rossi Burr Cutlip; Frederick William Toohey, Jr., married to Klaudia Schrack, grandchild: Lyra Grace Toohey; Robert Lawrence Toohey (predeceased), married Krissy Clarke, grandchild: Jack Garritt Toohey.
While raising the children in Greenwich, CT, Emily remained socially very active and volunteered for many organizations, including: The Bruce Museum, The Junior League, Smith College Club, Knollwood Garden Club, English Speaking Union, and many others. She was also a partner in the Greenwich retail store called "The Elements", which specialized in exceptional American handmade crafts.
Emily was an avid bridge player, world traveler, had an extraordinary memory, and faithfully attended the Round Hill Community Church. Along with her parents, Emily created a lasting bond between the Toohey and Garritt families.
Written in 1946, the Spirit of Em is captured in the following invitation, found amongst her papers:
Does your life seem dull and stuffy?
Do you feel yourself growing huffy?
Do your friends all ignore you
Or else maybe just bore you?
Do you feel like new faces
With anyone you would change places?
Are your working days grim
And your evening dates dim?
WELL!
What you need is a party.
Come at the 5 o'clock hour
(Leave under your own power).
December 15th is the day
(T'will be Tres Qai).
At Garritt's we will meet
Seventy-two Perkins Street.
It's just outside West Newton Square
All the best people will be there!
When Emmy sounds the call
Get on the ball-
Come one and all.
A memorial service will be held at The Round Hill Community Church, 395 Round Hill Road, Greenwich, CT, July 8th, 2024, at 11 a.m. The family invites all to a reception there, held immediately following the service.