Memorial on February 23rd for Emily Williamson, 1970-2013

| Obituaries | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

A memorial is planned February 23rd on Bainbridge Island for Emily Williamson, known and loved by many in West Seattle, especially for her work at Many Moons Trading Company, gone too soon at age 42. Her family shares this tribute; at the end we’ve added information about an art exhibit in her memory:

Emily Jean Williamson, blithe spirit and treasured daughter, sister, and friend, died on February 13, 2013, after a long battle with cancer.

Emily was born in Seattle on April 28, 1970 to Ron and Ethelyn Williamson. She grew up on Bainbridge Island and graduated from Bainbridge High School in 1988. In 1992 she graduated from Evergreen State College.

After graduation she moved to Seattle and worked in a variety of jobs from being a bike messenger to taking care of children at a day care center in downtown Seattle. She also founded Fuzzy Caterpillar, a party-planning service for children’s events. And after she moved to West Seattle, she became a favorite with customers at Many Moons Trading Co. where she displayed a talent for matching people with just the right outfit. But most notably Emily will be remembered for creative energy and her whimsical paintings created seemingly effortlessly and featuring flowers, birds, and a variety of inscrutable owls.

Emily was preceded in death by her father Ron Williamson and is survived by her mother Ethelyn Williamson, her sister Jennifer, her brother David, nephew Grant Forster, niece Lauren Forster, her kind and caring housemates in West Seattle, and myriad friends.

There will be a Memorial Service at Islandwood on Bainbridge Island on Saturday, February 23, at 1 pm. Shuttles will be available for those on the 11:25 am ferry from Seattle. Look for the daffodils. Donations may be made to Arms Around Bainbridge at www.armsaroundbainbridge.com.

Also in Emily’s memory, Mind Unwind in West Seattle is putting together an exhibit of her art for next month at their upstairs Treehouse Lounge, and asking those who have some of Emily’s work to loan it for the show. We stopped by during West Seattle Art Walk last night to see what’s already been dropped off – including this:

You’re invited to include a story about Emily with the artwork dropped off 5-midnight Wednesday through Sunday till month’s end; 2206 California SW. The exhibit will be spotlighted there during next month’s WS Art Walk (March 14), too, and artwork will be returned to its owners in April.

Diane February 15, 2013 (11:59 am)

wonderful sweet caring woman; I will miss her warm welcome and kindness when shopping at Many Moons; aside from the great deals, her friendly and helpful service was what really made it a fun experience, even when she was sick; in fact, last time I saw her in the shop, she was so lively, seemed so healthy, I thought she had beat cancer; so so so sad; makes me mad
~
and she was great with children; I brought two of my kidlets into the shop a few years ago (maybe 6 & 8 then); they brought their own money to pick out some of her art; I was impressed with Emily’s patience with their many questions and generosity of letting them buy one of her art cards for $1, or she may have even given them each one, can’t quite remember the “deal”; what stood out was that she did not get a tad bit annoyed with the many questions young children ask, or their wanting to touch everything, even with several other customers in the tiny shop; she gave them her full kind attention, which was the real gift she had for everyone
~
I would love to go over to Islandwood for her memorial, if anyone else is going, and wants to meet up to go together

nyhopi February 15, 2013 (12:33 pm)

My sweet sparkle twin, the little clown, fuzzy caterpillar, Emily Earhart. This news has left me forlorn and wanting for breath. Emily was my dear dear friend & confidant. Together we would laugh until we needed new pants! All of my life I will miss you, but I will also smile a little brighter anytime someone wears a crazy outfit, makes an inappropriate noise, or uses a really bad fake accent.

Your canvas is the sky now my love…time for the BIG crayons.

Yesterday I saw a rainbow faint but shockingly beautiful, there was no rain and I knew it was you my kind friend.

***I SO badly want to attend the services but will be out of the country would someone be willing to take some gear over for me???

Lesli February 15, 2013 (12:39 pm)

Just a beautiful spirit. We’ve known Emily for years through Many Moons, as I suspect many, and are just heartbroken. Anytime we are even near the Junction, my kids both plead to stop by and see Emily. We will always hold her warmth and sunny spirit dear.

annoy February 15, 2013 (2:02 pm)

I didn’t know Emily but I am the same age ~ really brings home that life is just too short! Hugs & prayers to all who knew her, from reading this she will be greatly missed beyond words.

G February 15, 2013 (2:17 pm)

She lives on in people’s memories.

Sassy February 15, 2013 (2:35 pm)

Annoy – I am right there with you. I am just a few years younger, and I remember seeing Emily all the time when Many Moons was located in the breezeway between parking & the main junction area.
I am just kind of in shock – she has such a youth about her in the photo above. Gone way too soon.

Carol O. February 15, 2013 (2:43 pm)

So glad I was given the chance in life to know such a special lady. Emily was such a positive person, totally unselfish, creative, and caring. My heart hurts at this loss of light.

Bonnie February 15, 2013 (3:29 pm)

I didn’t know Emily either but I am close to her age. Very sad to hear of her passing.

gretchen February 15, 2013 (4:15 pm)

I talked to Emily a handful of times in her Many Moons Trading Company store. She was so nice and friendly/gracious to me. The last time I saw her was in her new shop on California Avenue. She gave me a necklace that someone had donated. She told me she was “waiting for the right person” to give this to. Guess this was ME lol…I knew nothing about her cancer. Prayers for Emily and I will light a candle for her as well.

justme February 15, 2013 (4:38 pm)

I didn’t know Emily personally other than a short conversation here and there, but her face was one of my favorites in our little community here.

Diane February 15, 2013 (4:43 pm)

oh gretchen, that is so “Emily”; thank you for sharing; now I’m weepy

LivesInWS February 15, 2013 (6:58 pm)

So sad. She will be missed.

Rvesdocs February 15, 2013 (6:59 pm)

I am so sorry to hear of the loss of this kind person…

Arlene February 15, 2013 (10:27 pm)

I met Emily @ Adagio cafe in 1991. Owned by Victoria Hagar & family. She was beautiful, artistic, giving, & bright. RIP Emily. Your spirit has touched so many & will continue to live within us.

John February 16, 2013 (2:31 pm)

I’ve known Emily for many, many years.Long before her sickness over took her life. She was an amazing friend throughout the years, and I am so grateful for my time with her.
Just as a side note, Gretchen, Emily never owned Many Moons Trading Co. It is owned by Mary Many Moon. Emily worked for Mary for 12+ years

Maggie February 19, 2013 (10:02 am)

Dear sweet Emily…I feel like it was such a short time ago you called me to tell me of the sale you were having…I didn’t know that your cancer had returned. It breaks my heart to know that I won’t be seeing that radiant smiling face except in my heart and mind where it will live on. I will miss you so my dear sweet friend. You were always such a ray of sunshine in my life and in the world which is a better place for your having been here! You are now free to fly like the beautiful birds you painted. I will look for your works in the clouds and the sky. Love you!

Karen February 19, 2013 (5:57 pm)

My kids used to beg me to go visit teacher emily at many moons (my daughter had her as a preschool teacher), she was always so sweet and treated them as little adults rather than kids….she gave my daughter a beautiful stone from the store that she was admiring asking only that my daughter wrote a story about the stone and give it to her as “payment” . she will be soo miseed

Julie February 23, 2013 (10:39 am)

I have known Emily for a long time as a neighbor and dear friend. She was an angel on earth. She was too good for this earth and god has taken her home.
– Marlowe

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