Emily Killian, 93

Emily (Ash-Hart) Killian passed away peacefully on Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012 at the Traverse Manor Assisted Living Home. Emily was born in Three Rivers on May 13, 1919 to Edward and Anna Sholtey. After her mother died in 1922, Emily was adopted by Edgar and Mary Alice Ash of Three Rivers. Emily graduated from Three Rivers High School in 1937 and attended Albion College where she graduated in 1941 with a Bachelors Degree in Education and Music.

Emily was united in marriage to Robert M. Hart of Detroit, also a 1941 graduate of Albion College, on Jan. 1, 1942. They lived in Detroit where Emily taught history and music in the Berkley School System until the birth of their son, Robert “Ted” Hart, in 1944. Later Emily worked in the Livonia Public Schools from 1955 to 1977 primarily as a kindergarten teacher. Emily retired in 1977 and moved to Traverse City.

Ten years after the death of her husband, Robert, in 1973, Emily was married to Martin Killian in 1983. They shared mutual interest in antiques and wintered in the Bradenton, Fla. area together for many years until Martin passed away in 1996. Much of Emily’s time in Florida was spent with her sister, Antoinette Ash, and many friends who came to visit. Emily was particularly interested in collecting antique perfume bottles, and in 1989 authored a book called “Perfume Bottles Remembered” which was a good beginners guide to collecting antique perfume bottles. Emily also enjoyed gardening at her Cherrywood Commons condominium and was a member of the Traverse City Gardening Club.

Emily is survived by her son, Robert “Ted” Hart of Racine, Wis.; three grandchildren, Robert (Denise) Hart of Cincinnati, Ohio, Shannon (C.K. Sui) Hart of San Bruno, Calif. and Kevin Hart of Champaign, Ill.; a great-granddaughter, Phyllis Emily Hart of Cincinnati, Ohio; sister-in-law, Virginia Hart; three nieces, May Hart, Carla Hart, and Sue Ann Stevens all of California; and many cousins in the Three Rivers area.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Dec. 1 at 1 p.m. at the Eickhoff Farrand Halverson Chapel in Three Rivers with Rev. Luther Ash officiating, followed by interment of ashes in Riverside Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Robert M. Hart Scholarship Fund at Albion College. An online register is available at www.efhchapel.com. Emily’s family would like to express heartfelt thanks to all the staff at Traverse Manor in Traverse City for all their wonderful care for Emily over the last four years.