Plan for the Future
Emma, 92, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on April 21,2023. A celebration of her life will be held on May 5, 2023 at Christ Church, Summit, NJ at 11am. A reception will follow at the Beacon Hill Club, 250 Hobart Avenue in Summit. The burial will be private.
Emmy was born on November 22,1930 in Newberry, Michigan and is predeceased in death by her husband of 60 years, Gerald A. Hale (Gerry) and her father and mother, Philip and Clara Hamilton. Emmy graduated from Newberry High School as Valedictorian in 1949 and went on to Western Michigan College majoring in Elementary Education and becoming President of her sorority Delta Zeta. She and Gerry married in 1953 upon her graduation and relocated to New Jersey where she spent the rest of her life, early on in Short Hills and then in Summit and Beach Haven, while enjoying Key West, Florida later in life in the winter months.
Emmy leaves behind her three children Jeff Hale, Kate (Artie) Hein and John (Susan) Hale and five beloved grandchildren (The “Grands”), Matt (Melissa) Hale, Alison Hale, Jack Hale, Emma Hein and Erin Hein, and one great grandchild, Charlie Hale.
Emmy was a role model for all in giving back to the community. Early on, Emmy was a kindergarten teacher and upon having children chose to stay at home and devote her many talents to serving the community. She served on the Franklin School PTA Board. As a member of Christ Church she was a Sunday School Teacher, Trustee, and on the Board of Christian Education. Emmy was a Girl Scout troop leader, trainer and Chairman of the District Council of Summit and New Providence. She was awarded the “Thanks Badge” for her over 10 years of leadership and volunteerism. Emmy was a distinguished leader, member, and founder of many non-profit social service agencies including: Family Service Association, Summit YWCA, SAGE, Y.E.S., Summit Area Community Council, New Jersey Center for the Visual Arts, the United Way, Mental Health Association and Summit Child Care Center. She was awarded the Distinguished Citizen of the Year Away by the United Way of Summit, New Providence and Berkeley Heights in 1989 and the Founders Award by the Summit Child Care Center. Emmy also was a member of Overlook Auxiliary Twig #22 for over 50 years, and a member of the Fortnightly Club of Summit, Baltusrol Golf Club, Beacon HIll Club,and Little Egg Harbor Yacht Club.
While the list of her giving back to others is deep and rich, the most important thing in her life was family and faith. Family dinners were a must. She could be counted on to correct your manners and grammar. Her children benefited from her writing skills (and editing of college applications). She loved to read and finding words she did not know made for a good book. Emmy played the flute and piano in her youth igniting a love of music, whether it was in church, symphony or a Broadway show. Her dog Maggie brought her great joy after the passing of Gerry and they made quite a pair at Lantern Hill, where she lived the last 7 years of her life. Many thanks to the aides that helped make her life easier in the past year. The family is forever grateful.
She will be remembered and loved by all who knew her. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Christ Church Summit Music Fund. You may either use the attached link https://ccsnj.breezechms.com/give/online (go to Give to Memorial Gift on the drop down menu) or mail donations to: Christ Church, 561 Springfield Ave, Summit NJ 07901 with memo line: Emmy Hale, Christ Church Music Fund.
