Obituary of Emily Reiss

Emily Marie Reiss, lifetime Connecticut resident, passed away peacefully on October 28, 2016, surrounded by her family at CT Hospice in Branford, she was 97 years old. Emily was born in Detroit, Michigan, the second daughter of Frieda Schmidt and Neils Borgen. She grew up in New Haven, graduated from Hillhouse High School and was employed at A.C. Gilbert. Through friends, she met the love of her life, the late John Christian Reiss with whom she shared 60 years of marriage. She was also employed by Sperry and Barnes and later retired from Yale University accounting department. Emily leaves behind two daughters, Carolyn Reiss of Clinton and Linda (Harry) Hurley of Northford, two grandchildren, Jonathan Hurley and Heather (Matthew) Mahon along with three adopted grandchildren, Kevin Hurley, Patricia Barletta, Kathleen Riordan and five great grandchildren. Emily is also survived by niece Judith (Robert) Shaw, nephew Thomas Dziubinski, cousin Marion (Edward) Delouise and several cousins. Emily was a wonderful woman, beloved by all. She was kind, generous, helpful and always full of fun and laughter. She enjoyed her pets, loved to travel and was a frequent winner at cards, board games and bingo. Her family will sorely miss her lively company, great cooking and all encompassing love. Family will receive friends from 4 to 7 PM on Monday, October 31, 2016 at the Clancy-Palumbo Funeral Home (Clancy Funeral Home) 43 Kirkham Ave., East Haven. Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, November 1 at 10:30 AM in the Clancy-Palumbo Funeral Home, East Haven with burial to follow at East Lawn Cemetery. Donations may be made to Our Companions Animal Rescue, PO Box 956, Manchester CT 06045 or American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), PO Box 96929, Washington DC 20090-6929 in memory of Emily Reiss.