Emma Elaine Low

1945 - 2025

Emma Elaine (Kenoyer) Low
October 3, 1945 - May 7, 2025
Our beloved sister, aunt and friend passed away suddenly on May 7, 2025. Emma was born to Wright Kenoyer and Alice (Hittle) Kenoyer on October 3, 1945 in Wenatchee, Washington. She joined four siblings: Wayne, Patricia (Madsen), Jerry and Edward. At the age of three years old, Emma's father was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident. With the steadfast love of her mother and siblings, Emma had wonderful memories of her childhood years. She attended grade school at Monitor Grade School through eighth grade, where her mother was a teacher. She made lifelong friends during her grade school years and maintained those friendships through the end of her life. Emma often talked about the community dances, hiking the Monitor hillsides, and swimming at Doll's pool in Monitor.
Emma went to Cashmere High School where she was a cheerleader, Student Body president, Princess Monitor, and developed a love for learning. Emma talked about the impact her English teacher, Mrs. Ferry had on her life, by inspiring her love for books, poetry and literature. Emma was quoting Shakespeare by memory the last week of her life. Emma graduated from CHS in 1963, attended Wenatchee Valley College, and graduated from Central Washington University. Emma was a lifelong learner, had a hunger for knowledge and was an avid reader. She held a variety of intellectual interests and enjoyed deep engaging conversations and debating her philosophical ideas.
Emma married Verdelle E. Low on October 16, 1969. Together they raised his young son, Del. Verdelle and Emma lived a full life, filled with travel, season tickets to the Seattle Rep theatre and others, yard sales, flea markets and annual trips to the Bellevue Arts and Crafts show. They fostered many deep and lasting friendships together. Over the years, their numerous four legged friends gave them hours of joy. Emma tenderly and lovingly cared for Verdelle until he passed in February 2025.
Emma taught English at junior high and high schools in Colorado, Sequim, Yelm, and Puyallup (Aylen Jr. High and PHS). Emma taught in China for a year after the Tiananmen Square incident. She immersed herself in the culture and thoroughly enjoyed her time there. Emma deeply invested in the intellectual development of her students, and remained connected with many of her past colleagues and students even during the final years of her life.
Emma loved being outdoors, was an environmentalist, and held deep regard for the Earth and all living creatures. Emma joined a mountaineering club allowing her to climb many peaks in the Pacific Northwest and make several dear friendships. She also spent time hiking in Europe as she lived her life to the fullest.
After retiring from teaching, Emma spent several years alternating time between her home in Tacoma and caring for her beloved mother in Cashmere until her mother's death. While in Cashmere, she spent time with her brothers, hiked the "beloved hills" of her childhood with her nieces, nephews, and many befriended neighborhood dogs. Emma was known as the "fun and quirky" aunt by her nieces and nephews, and enjoyed sewing doll clothes for her nieces, and making homemade ice cream. She had a great sense of humor and her laughter filled every room she entered. Emma was a blessing to all who knew her, and she will be remembered dearly and missed greatly.
Emma was preceded in death by her husband Verdelle Low, his son Del, her parents, Wright and Alice Kenoyer, brother Wayne Kenoyer, and her sister Patricia Madsen. The family would like to thank the caregivers at Bonaventure for providing loving care during Emma's past year. As per Emma's request, there will be no funeral. Memories may be shared at Jones & Jones-Betts Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Tacoma Rescue Mission or the Wenatchee Valley Humane Society.
Wenatchee Valley Humane Society: https://www.wenatcheehumane.org/helptoday
Tacoma Rescue Mission:
https://www.trm.org/?form=FUNHYQKHUSS