Emily Patricia Pike

Emily Patricia Pike, 91, passed away peacefully on February 27, 2026, at her home, Trinity Springs. She was joined in heart and hand until the moment she passed peacefully with her beloved husband Paul at her side.

Emily is survived by Paul, her beloved husband of 69 years. They were married on November 24, 1956, in Detroit, Michigan at St. Brigid Catholic Church. Together they raised two children: Paula (Greg) Gray and Damian (Jackie) Pike. Emily was proud of her four grandchildren – Janice Robison (Jonathan), Jonathon Pike, Caroline Gray and Matthew Pike. She also found joy in her three great-grandchildren, Cecilia, Theodore, and Lewis Robison who were a true delight to her. Emily is also survived by her sister Bernadine Marzen, sister in-law Marie Boom along with many nieces and nephews.

Emily is proceeded in death by her parents Theodore and Bernadine Boom, sisters Juanita Boom and Virginia Pitzenberger and brothers William Boom and Donald Boom.

Emily was born on August 14, 1934, in Dubuque, Iowa to Theodore and Bernadine Boom and later moved as a young child with her family to Dougherty, Iowa where she attended and graduated from St. Patrick Catholic School in Dougherty, Iowa. Emily went on to attend St. Joseph Mercy School of Nursing in Dubuque, Iowa where she received her BS as a Registered Nurse. Emily worked as a RN in Mason City, Iowa, St. Cloud Minnesota, and Missoula, Montana before retiring to devote her time to her husband Paul and raising their family.

Emily loved traveling with Paul. Over the years they visited every US State, and traveled to numerous countries including Germany, England, Switzerland, Netherlands, Ireland, and Italy to name a few. For a time, when Paul's work took him to Europe, they lived at various times in Ireland, Italy and the Netherlands. She loved dancing and of course her favorite partner was Paul. They actually met at the Surf Ball Room in Clear Lake, Iowa on April 13, 1956, where they shared their first dance and they continued dancing together for almost 70 years. She also enjoyed art, reading, and playing cards and games with family and friends.

She was active in the Red Hat Society. She was the Vice President of the Red Hat Mama's, a local chapter in Oak Run, the community where she and Paul lived since 1999. She also cherished time with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and of course many friends and relatives. Emily was a woman of deep faith. Her favorite saint was St. Therese of Lisieux. She would say that her visit to Basilica of St. Therese was the highlight of her travels. She had many holy cards & pictures around their home dedicated to St. Therese. She was a dedicated parishioner of Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Ocala, Florida. Emily will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew her.

There will be a Celebration of Life from 3:00 – 5:00 PM on Friday, March 27th at Hiers-Baxley Funeral Home located at 9695 SW 110th Street, Ocala, Florida. Emily's funeral mass will be held on Saturday, March 28th at 8:30 AM at Queen of Peace located at 6455 SR 200, Ocala, Florida. Interment will follow at the church grounds following Emily's funeral mass.