Emma Marie Mahaney, 94, resided in Grayling, Michigan, peacefully passed away on May 17, 2023, in her home surrounded by love from her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Emma was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York and later resided in Grayling for 53 years.
Emma graduated from Bay Ridge High School after which she obtained her bachelor’s degree in nursing in 1949 from Long Island College School of Nursing. Emma worked with the American Red Cross for three years and decided she wanted to see the world so she joined the Air Force in 1952. She completed her officer’s basic training in Montgomery, Alabama and Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. As a 1st Lieutenant, Emma was stationed in Japan and then went to Korea. While stationed at Taegu, South Korea, Emma was the head nurse who was tasked with setting up the base hospital nursing unit. She also worked in the Korean orphanages administering medical care to children. After being discharged from the Air Force, Emma married and raised her 8 children. Her love of children was endless and she was blessed with 18 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren. Emma retired from the Crawford County Health department after serving more than 20 years as the District Health Department Nurse. The care she provided in the community was generational. During her time at the health department, Emma embraced the many relationships of the children she cared for and then administered care for their children.
Always very proud of serving her country, Emma cherished traveling to Washington DC with the Honor Flight. Her experience of visiting the Korean War Veteran Memorial and Women’s War Memorial held a very special place in her heart.
Emma is preceded in her death by her parents Emily and Joseph Burger, and brother Joseph. She is survived by: Son Kevin Mahaney (Lynnae), grandchildren Tara (Nathan) LaCross; Ryan (Jill) , Alaina, Theresa; great grandchildren Ethan, Remy, Anson, Phinneaus, Beatrix and Rosalind. Son Thomas (Mary), grandchildren Nicole (Tony Ruiz), Molly (Adam) Szczepanski; great grandchildren Desmond, Celia Jo, Izzy and Cove. Son Robert (Mary), grandchildren Andrew and Erin. Son Matthew, grandchildren Danny (deceased), Bonnie (James) Jones and Maggie Bravo; great grandchildren Rileigh Jo, Aeden, Holden, Mea, Elvia and Andres. Son Joseph (Mary Ann), grandchildren Katie (Chris) Graham; great grandchildren Kaelynn, Mary, and Rowan. Daughter Kathleen, grandchildren Tyler (Erin) Laudenslager; great grandchildren Ava, Kohen, Liam and Lucus. Daughter Victoria Ueberroth, grandchildren Jordan (Samantha), Austin (Marlen), Bailey (Julia), Dawson (Gabrielle) and Mallory; great grandchildren Sebastian, Malayna, Aziel, Maritza, Sofia and Kolten. Daughter Christine (Billy Stout), granddogs Kelta, Keera, Kroix and Touey.
All of her grandchildren and great grandchildren knew her as Grandma Sugarlump. Emma left an impact on everyone she met, her smile was contagious and her laughter was infectious. The relationships Emma formed were filled with a special connection no matter who you were. Emma lived life with her favorite motto, “Have A Laugh A Day”.
In lieu of flowers, Emma’s children request donations be made in her honor to Military Women’s Memorial https://myaccount.womensmemorial.org/donate or JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) https://www2.jdrf.org/site/Donation2?2374.donation=form1&df_id=2374&s_src=jdrf.org&s_subsrc=siteMenuLink&_ga=2.73168339.1138954188.1684516319-168107034.1684516319
Arrangements entrusted to Sorenson-Lockwood Funeral Home.
