Emily Higbee Memorial
Donation protected
We decided to set up this memorial fundraiser for Emily's children after so many wonderful family and friends had reached out to us upon hearing about Emily and Joe's tragic story. The family is not looking for financial support for funeral or hospital costs, rather we are honoring Emily's wish of trying to ensure future education for all 7 of her amazing, beautiful, strong, kind kiddos! The family would love your support, be it with prayers, memories of Emily, words of support, or gifts to this fundraiser.
For those of you not familiar with their story, Emily was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer less than a month ago. All but a few days of those last weeks were spent in the hospital, so she had very little time with her children or extended family. We have included more details below, including a tribute this amazing woman!
Emily's Battle
The heartache and pain of any cancer diagnosis is hard enough on a family, but the circumstances surrounding Emily's diagnosis and prognosis were devastating. It is impossible to imagine finding yourself alone in the ER (b/c of Covid restrictions) and being told that your body is filled with cancer. It is unbearable to picture only seeing your kids 4 days out of your last three weeks of life, and them not being able to say good byes. Unfortunately, that was the case for our sweet Emily. Her cancer was caught late, and although she underwent surgery immediately, the cancer was very aggressive and had metastasized significantly. By nature she was a fighter, and she tried to battle back, but her body left frail from months of being ill, was unable to sustain the fight. Ultimately, after just days or weeks, not months or years, she passed peacefully from this world, with her husband by her side.
Her husband, her children, her parents, siblings and in-laws, will miss here for the remainder of our mortality and we rejoice in the day of our reunions in heaven.
Emily's Nature
First and foremost, Emily was a dedicated mother and wife. She loved her family fiercely, and together with Joe, they have always been fun, amazing parents. They taught their children independence and how to work. They taught them to love, and to care about others, especially those who needed their compassion most. And they taught them how to have fun and live in the moment.
Emily was an adventurer, and now with her kids growing old enough, she and Joe have been able to go explore some beautiful places together. For her 40th birthday, they had backpacked through Iceland, and created memories that he will no doubt carry with him forever. Emily was a military spouse, which was always an adventure. She adapted to the frequent moves during those years by making wonderful friendships. She was strong and resilient, which she had to be, to be a pregnant, young mother while Joe served overseas in Korea.
One of her last big adventures was going back to school and completing her education degree. Being around just 7 kids wasn't enough :) After years spent raising her children at home, Emily was determined to go back to work full-time to make sure all of her children were able to attain a quality college education.
Being a mother of 7 kids was not always easy, especially while finishing her teaching degree, but Emily made sure that each of her children felt not only special and loved, but spoiled. She was the best Christmas gift planner, and together with Joe, who was willing to go wait in whatever line necessary, they provided amazing Christmas mornings for nearly 20 years.
If there was ever a great story teller, Emily was it! We all loved listening to her recount fun stories, her beautiful green eyes wide and intense, moving to the edge of her seat, arms waving. She knew how to set the scene and captivate her audience. Luckily, most of her stories were hilarious. And having fun was something Emily excelled at.
Emily loved a good book! She was an avid reader with a veracious appetite for a compelling story. She was a life learner who sought out information and truth. If anyone ever needed a good book suggestion, she was their best bet.
Her laugh was truly infectious, and you couldn't help but have fun with her. She was always the first one to a card game - once she procured her popcorn and Pepsi - and her competitiveness seemed to help her win more than her share of games.
Emily has a wonderful family, both the Chaffins and the Higbees! She loved spending time with all of her family, especially in the mountains. She loved Cousin's Camp, Sister's Weekends, and family reunions. She will be greatly missed and will leave most certainly a void in each of our hearts. Please help us in this cause she felt so strongly about and help support college educations for her 7 incredible kiddos!
For those of you not familiar with their story, Emily was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer less than a month ago. All but a few days of those last weeks were spent in the hospital, so she had very little time with her children or extended family. We have included more details below, including a tribute this amazing woman!
Emily's Battle
The heartache and pain of any cancer diagnosis is hard enough on a family, but the circumstances surrounding Emily's diagnosis and prognosis were devastating. It is impossible to imagine finding yourself alone in the ER (b/c of Covid restrictions) and being told that your body is filled with cancer. It is unbearable to picture only seeing your kids 4 days out of your last three weeks of life, and them not being able to say good byes. Unfortunately, that was the case for our sweet Emily. Her cancer was caught late, and although she underwent surgery immediately, the cancer was very aggressive and had metastasized significantly. By nature she was a fighter, and she tried to battle back, but her body left frail from months of being ill, was unable to sustain the fight. Ultimately, after just days or weeks, not months or years, she passed peacefully from this world, with her husband by her side.
Her husband, her children, her parents, siblings and in-laws, will miss here for the remainder of our mortality and we rejoice in the day of our reunions in heaven.
Emily's Nature
First and foremost, Emily was a dedicated mother and wife. She loved her family fiercely, and together with Joe, they have always been fun, amazing parents. They taught their children independence and how to work. They taught them to love, and to care about others, especially those who needed their compassion most. And they taught them how to have fun and live in the moment.
Emily was an adventurer, and now with her kids growing old enough, she and Joe have been able to go explore some beautiful places together. For her 40th birthday, they had backpacked through Iceland, and created memories that he will no doubt carry with him forever. Emily was a military spouse, which was always an adventure. She adapted to the frequent moves during those years by making wonderful friendships. She was strong and resilient, which she had to be, to be a pregnant, young mother while Joe served overseas in Korea.
One of her last big adventures was going back to school and completing her education degree. Being around just 7 kids wasn't enough :) After years spent raising her children at home, Emily was determined to go back to work full-time to make sure all of her children were able to attain a quality college education.
Being a mother of 7 kids was not always easy, especially while finishing her teaching degree, but Emily made sure that each of her children felt not only special and loved, but spoiled. She was the best Christmas gift planner, and together with Joe, who was willing to go wait in whatever line necessary, they provided amazing Christmas mornings for nearly 20 years.
If there was ever a great story teller, Emily was it! We all loved listening to her recount fun stories, her beautiful green eyes wide and intense, moving to the edge of her seat, arms waving. She knew how to set the scene and captivate her audience. Luckily, most of her stories were hilarious. And having fun was something Emily excelled at.
Emily loved a good book! She was an avid reader with a veracious appetite for a compelling story. She was a life learner who sought out information and truth. If anyone ever needed a good book suggestion, she was their best bet.
Her laugh was truly infectious, and you couldn't help but have fun with her. She was always the first one to a card game - once she procured her popcorn and Pepsi - and her competitiveness seemed to help her win more than her share of games.
Emily has a wonderful family, both the Chaffins and the Higbees! She loved spending time with all of her family, especially in the mountains. She loved Cousin's Camp, Sister's Weekends, and family reunions. She will be greatly missed and will leave most certainly a void in each of our hearts. Please help us in this cause she felt so strongly about and help support college educations for her 7 incredible kiddos!
Organizer and beneficiary
Michael Higbee
Organizer
Buhl, ID
Joe Higbee
Beneficiary