Obituary of Emily E. Walther

The angels touched our mothers’ hands and said, “Come Now”, it is May 27^th and God has sent us down to lift you up so that you may enjoy your welcome home party. Mom was 78 years old.

Emily Ellen Novak Walther was born January 2^nd 1946 to the late Fred and Anna Novak. She had six siblings, James O’Hara (deceased), Ann Dunikowski (deceased), Thomas O’Hara and wife Lucy, Fred Novak, Katherine Novak and Jacqueline Fortune.

“I don’t know if I can help but I’m here for you,” our mother’s life mantra. She shared her unwavering love and dedication to her family, friends, patients and even strangers. A licensed practical nurse at just seventeen years old, she became a registered nurse while raising her family and working full time. Her reverent hands touched all her patients at the Orange County Home and Infirmary (now known as Valley View) for over 30 years until her retirement. The caregiver in her continued as she taught and mentored students from BOCES Vocational CNA program. Proof of her dedication went beyond teaching in the classroom. There was one time when her student called and said she wouldn’t be able to make the final exam because she didn’t have a babysitter, mom said, “bring your child to class and I will be your babysitter,” her student cried with joy as she was then able to master her degree.

But when she wasn’t home or her hair wasn’t pinned up in her nursing cap, she let it down to bare it all with The Silver Girls, a friendship that lasted over 50 years. We could use the next several paragraphs to exemplify their beautiful years and reminisce on the antics, but some things are better left unsaid and “that’s what friends are for.”

Mom’s continual and unconditional love, support, wisdom and devotion splintered into each of her children, creating a majestical love and adoration in return, for life. She together with the love of her life, Henry “Hank” Walther had four children, until his untimely passing in 1995. She leaves behind her daughter Jacqueline Pinkerous and husband Thomas, daughter Barbara Walther, son Louis Walther and wife Maria, and son Henry “Dee” Walther. The other loves of her life were her grandchildren, she had four, each in the likeness of her own,  Louis Walther and wife Emma, Taylor Reardon Kurtz and husband Jacob, Thomas Reardon and wife Tara and Nina Walther. She also shared her love with her bonus granddaughter, Dr. Cassandra Pinkerous. Her legacy continues through her great granddaughters, Layla, Mia, Charlotte, Hayden and Clover. She also left behind many nieces and nephews, who adored their Aunt Emily.

The family would like to thank the teams at Hudson Valley Hospice and Hospice of Orange and Sullivan for their dedication and care. We also would like to extend gratitude to moms’ nurse aide, Luwayna. For the short time spent with our mother, she treated her with love and care like she was her own. And lastly, we are greatly indebted to our mother’s sister, Kathy. Mom chose to spend her final months beside her sister, giving her ultimate comfort and peace. God has blessed our family in more ways than one, as he now takes our beloved Mother home, we pray with love in our hearts that she and Him will continue to watch over us.

Her memorial mass will be held on Saturday, June 1, 2024 at 1:00pm St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 180 Sullivan Street in Wurtsboro with Fr. Peter Madori officiating.  Interment of her ashes will follow at the St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Wurtsboro.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in our mother’s name to Tunnel to Towers, a charity close to her heart as she was one of many 9/11 medical volunteers. www.T2T.org

Arrangements under the direction of the VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home of Wurtsboro. For additional information or to send an online condolence, please visit www.kennyfuneralhome.com .