It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Emily L. Parsons. Emily was born in Somerville, Massachusetts on April 19, 1934, the daughter of Mabel (Lloyd) and Frank L. Atherton. She was the second youngest of 8 siblings and the last to be reunited with her family in heaven. Emily was born from humble roots, spending much of her time on the family farm in Burlington, Massachusetts, growing into a strong and confident person. Whether she was working on the farm or in the home, Emily exemplified the meaning of her name: hardworking. She married Alfred B. O'Leary in April of 1954 and parented 4 boys: Kevin, Keith, Kirk, and Ken whom she dubbed her 4-Ks!

Emily and the boys lost Alfred to a brain tumor in April of 1968, leaving Emily to single-handedly raise four rather rowdy boys. She was up for the challenge and held the family together with her love, her support, and her own, special brand of stern discipline. Emily had all the tools necessary for parenting four strong-willed boys into four strong, caring men.

Emily found love again when she met Barry C. Parsons. Emily took Barry's family name when she married for the second and last time in 1973 becoming Mrs. Emily L. Parsons. Emily enjoyed 36 happy years with Barry until his passing in 2009.

Throughout her remarkable life, Emily expressed love and care for every person she encountered. She was a compassionate, devoting, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and faithful friend to many. She was gifted in so many ways, with the artistic affinity and creative ability to crochet, paint, craft, and create many objects of function and beauty in use today in homes all over the country. Emily collected dolls from her childhood throughout her adult life, compiling one of the most amazing collections of over three hundred rare dolls that she has bequeathed to her family and friends! Christmas is the season Emily lived for. That was the time she showered family and friends with love, her famous potato salad, her delicious holiday meatballs, and of course, hand-picked, and wrapped, gifts for each loved one.

Emily leaves behind a legacy of deep love and devotion. She taught us all that family comes first. For this, her boys, her family, and her friends will always be grateful. She was in-fact one-of-a-kind. These words are just a sample of her impact; all who knew and loved her hold endlessly more volumes of lessons and memories in their broken hearts. Emily will be missed terribly, but we will carry her legacy forward so that she will never be forgotten.

Emily is survived by her four boys and spouses, Kevin and Patricia O'Leary, Keith and Monique O'Leary, Kirk and Lillian O'Leary, and Ken and Lisa O'Leary; her grandchildren Sean and Jessica Moone, Caitlin and Brian Sullivan, Blaine and Elyse O'Leary, Samantha O'Leary, Jason O'Leary, and Kyle O'Leary, and her great-grandchildren Grant, Ethan, Matthew, and Brett Moone, Emeline and Charlotte Sullivan.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend visiting hours at the JF Ward Funeral Home, 772 Broadway, Everett, on Thursday, Dec 1 ^st from 4-8 pm, followed by a funeral on Friday, Dec 2 ^nd in Woodlawn Cemetery Chapel, 302 Elm St., Everett, at 11 am. Services will conclude with interment in Woodlawn Cemetery. In Emily's memory, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society @ www.cancer.org