With love and sadness, we announce the passing of
our Mother and Grandmother
Emma Louise Briggs Child
7 November 1928 – 19 February 2022
daughter of Azer Richard & Emilie Sophia Osterloh Briggs
of Magrath, Alberta Canada
Mother of Tommy, Jeff, Dana & Noelle
Being the last of nine siblings to graduate this life,
Emma Lou has been described as
“The Last of the Greats” And She Was!
Mom leaves behind many of her loved ones, including daughters, grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Daughter Dana Smith Ashby (Doug) with children; Kara Ashby Miller (Jordan), Amelia Ashby, Merry Ashby & ShaiLi Ashby.
Daughter Noelle Smith Ayers with children; Taylor Ayers (Jen) & Madison Ayers
Grandsons: Jordan Smith & Liam Smith MacLeod (sons of the late Jeff Smith)
Two Great Grandchildren
Our Mom always felt loved by her parents and siblings. There to greet her on the other side are two sons: Thomas Briggs Price and Jeffery Alan Smith; her parents and her eight siblings: Alice Briggs Aldrich, Beth Briggs Hackney, Virginia Briggs Curtis, Ernie (Betty) Briggs, Don (Arlene) Briggs, Fred (Dee) Briggs, Hermine Briggs (Phares) Horman, Jim (Lu) Briggs.
Mom was the last one of the nine siblings and their spouses to reunite together again. Some lament when they are the last one left alive, but think of the party when they arrive!!
Emma Lou — it’s a double name, shortened from Emma Louise. She loved to be called Emma Lou. If someone called her Emma, she’d correct them. Mom was named after her Dad’s Welsh mother Emma and her mother’s brother Louis.
Our Mom, Emma Lou was born in Magrath Alberta Canada. A place she dearly loved and kept close to her heart all her life. She was raised on a farm with her 8 other siblings. She learned to work hard, to milk cows, ride horses and more. When she was in her upper teens, they moved into town, away from the farm and one room schoolhouse in Lehi Field and into the town of Magrath. She was in high school at the time. Mom thought she would die if she didn’t get to ride a horse everyday. Well, she didn’t die, but longed to ride just the same.
Mom loved many things. Near the top of that list must be BASKETBALL, in capital letters. She played center for the Cardston/Magrath Shooting Stars and a star she was. . . at least that’s the story we got. They were a great team, winning games and championships.
Music was one of Mom’s favorite things. She had a beautiful alto voice and could sing and sing and sing. To harmonize was one of her favorite things.
Mom has always fiercely loved her family. To this littlest sister – being number 8 of 9 children- her siblings were her world . . and they remain so. She probably knew their strengths and weaknesses, but always focused on their strengths. She knew that if she needed them, they would always be there for her. And they always were.
Mom’s parents were practically perfect, at least they were the perfect parents for her. Her Dad Azer died when she was 20, so perhaps that hug has been waiting about 73 years. Her mother Emilie (pronounced Amelia) died when she was 47, another overdue hug, to be sure. When Mom was recently asked who she will be excited to see when she leaves this life, she would say, “Mama and Daddy”.
Mom served the young and the old and anyone in between. She was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints her whole life. She was a good neighbor and cared for those around her.
Throughout her life, Mom wore many hats. She wore each hat with fun, dignity and grace: Wife, Mother, Grandma, Sister, Aunt, Teacher, Friend, Avis Rent-a-Car Agent, Secretary, Page at the Utah Legislature, Waitress, Pharmacy Clerk, Waterton Hotel Employee and more.
Mom will be remembered as being full of life, spunky and fun. She had a ready smile to share with everyone. Mom tried to make the lives of others easier with her helpful nature. She would jump into a project (big or small) with you, at the drop of a hat. You could always share a chat and a laugh with Mom.
We will miss our Mom . . . but just think of the party as she arrived. . . . just think of the rook games, the hugs, the smiles, the joy. It’s not known exactly what it’s like, but one thing is certain . . There is heavenly rejoicing that Emma Lou is home.
A Graveside Service will be held for Emma Lou at the Magrath Cemetery, Magrath, Alberta on Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at 12:00 noon. A Memorial Service will take place on Saturday, April 9, 2022 at 10:00 am at the Union Fort 6th ward Chapel, 6770 S., 500 E., Midvale, Utah. Hugs from home can be submitted under the resources tab.
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Service
Graveside Service
Magrath Cemetery
Magrath, Alberta
March 8, 2022
12:00 p.m.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Emma Louise Child 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Calgary, Province: Alberta