In the early hours of Monday November 18, 2024 Emma let go of the pain and suffering of cancer and slipped peacefully into the light. She fought a brave battle against an opponent she no longer had the strength to beat. She had no fear of death having had a near death experience many years ago. Her strength and determination were an inspiration to witness.

Emma studied physical therapy at Bouve` College in Boston, one of the colleges at Tufts University, where she met her husband Leigh. She had a long and varied career as a physical therapist working at Emerson Hospital, the VNA of Massachusetts, the Billerica School System, and many others along the way.

Emma was most well known for her work with flowers. She became a member of the Open Gate Garden club in 1982 after her previous club disbanded. She studied to become a Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts flower show judge and would eventually become a master judge, as well as a member of GCFM Judges’ Council, judging all of the major flower shows in Massachusetts. Over the years she would exhibit both design and horticulture in the shows winning blue ribbons each year in both. She also received top awards including the Cindora Goldberg Design Award and the Clare L. Richard’s Award for color. Emma was a very active member of the garden club where she gave many design workshops in her own clubs as well as others. She planted the Jessie Stewart Memorial Urn each year changing the designs with the seasons. Emma decorated the dining room of the Barrett/Byam House for the Chelmsford Historical Society for Christmas for 20 years. She was program chairman of her garden club for many years where her designs graced the hospitality table. In 2011 she received from the GCFM Northern District the Pauline Jensen Membership Award for all the work she had done over the years for the club and Federation. As one member commented. “She will be remembered from her beautiful life on earth. We were blessed to know her.” Emma had her own wedding flower business “Flowers by Emma” in which many a bride including both daughters got to share in some of her lovely designs.

Emma loved beautiful things, and encouraging others to see the beauty in everyday life. She was always elegantly dressed, and as a friend recently remarked was a pleasure to look at. She always made an effort, a colorful scarf with a cashmere sweater and coordinating earrings. She believed in teaching by example. She approached life with a positive attitude and took the most challenging situations in stride choosing to see the good in the worst of situations. She truly cared about others and helped to make any new comer feel welcomed and accepted. She had an infectious smile and she loved to laugh.

She and husband Leigh rescued and raised nearly a hundred cats in their lifetimes. No challenge was too great for rehabilitation. Her couches were covered in cat beds full of contented kitties living out their best lives, watching the squirrels and birds on her back deck. The family loved to spend time in nature and along with her college classmates and their families would camp in Maine every summer for hiking, campfires, and lots of laughter.   She and Leigh traveled to Germany, Austria, and Scotland staying with dear friends and visiting the lands of their ancestors.

She enjoyed cooking and loved sharing the cultural foods she grew up with with her daughters Kristina and Lesley, instilling a love of cooking, gardening, flowers, and caring for and teaching others. She was a dear friend to many and will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her.

Emma was predeceased by her husband Leigh Houseman in 2022. She is survived by her sister-in-law Rev Gail Zackrison of Edenboro, PA, daughter Kristina Bowman of Allenstown, NH and son-in-law Bruce Bowman, and daughter Lesley Poirier of Lighthouse Point, FL and son-in-law William Poirier, grand daughter Leanne Davenport of Danville, NH, grandson Drew Poirier of Lighthouse Point, FL, grand daughter Kathryn Webster of San Diego, CA, grandson Daniel Poirier of Gainesville, FL, and great grandson Bradley Davenport of Danville, NH.

No services are planned.

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