Emily Jane Anthony

Emily J. (Gallagher) Anthony, longtime resident of Lake Ronkonkoma passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on September 10, 2021, at the age of 80. Born in Norfolk VA on April 16, 1941 to Harry and Ruth Gallagher.

Emily grew up in a Navy family with homes in places like Bridgeport, Annapolis, Providence, Charleston, Key West and Coronado where she and her siblings all graduated High School.  She was predeceased by her loving husband Lou of 58 years and sister Marcia Crouch.  She is survived by her adoring children Faith Lonieski (Ron) and Lewis (Kathy), siblings Skip, Dana, Laura and Harry and many nieces and nephews. Devoted grandmother of Samantha, Matthew, Lewis, Zachary, Bridget and Jennifer.

Emily was a woman of deep faith and a lifelong diabetic who consistently beat the odds by overcoming the many medical challenges she faced during her lifetime. Due to sheer will and strength she found a way to overcome any obstacle. Despite challenges, she greeted each day with her wonderful smile and bright personality.  She could make fast friends with anyone she ever met and leave a lasting impression.

Emily met Lou Anthony at the Brooklyn Navy Yard where she was a bookkeeper and the daughter of the Commanding Officer.  They fell in love and married on May 2, 1962, When she was told she would most certainly die during childbirth due to her diabetes, she called upon her faith and had two healthy children. More examples of courage and determination followed when she overcame a massive heart attack at 29, survived quadruple bypass surgery at 47, and beat kidney cancer and complications at 71.

After the birth of her children, Emily moved with Lou to Coronado in 1966 to be close to her family as she supported Lou fighting in Vietnam. They moved back to New York in 1968 initially to raise their family and later she began her work in retail sales.  She spent decades working in Abraham & Strauss and Kohls stores making lifelong friends in both.

Emily loved the beach, sunshine, the color red, and cherished time spent in Myrtle Beach and other adventures with family. She was always on the go, with boundless energy and drive shocking anyone finding out her true age or medical history.

She was an animal lover, especially of cats, and enjoyed her scratch off lottery tickets or playing Lou’s police badge number. She was considered a hip Grandma into the latest trends and gadgets, even playing early online games with the grandchildren or talking about the latest TV show.

Emily was a warm and kind soul, always saying farewell to those she met saying ‘Have a great day, and a better tomorrow’.  She will be greatly missed but her spirit and legacy will live on through her friends and family as we recall the wonderful times we shared.

Visitation will be at Moloney’s Lake Funeral Home & Cremation Center on Monday, September 13, 2021, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm and Monday, September 13, 2021, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm.  A Mass will be held on Tuesday September 14, 2021 at St. Joseph R.C Church Ronkonkoma, and then Emily will be laid to rest alongside her husband at Calverton National Cemetery.

Donations can be made in her honor to one of her favorite charities, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105