Emily M. Raymond

Emily McCracken Raymond, 73, of Manchester, CT, passed away peacefully on Saturday May 9, 2015 with her loving husband of 27 years, John Raymond, by her side. Despite living with dementia for nearly a decade, Emily showed great strength and beauty through her final days, with a tender heart, a clever wit, and even a dash of feistiness all showing through.

In addition to John, Emily is survived by her two children and their families: son Christopher D. Nelson of West Hartford, CT, daughter-in-law Nina Arnold, and grandson Finn, age 7; and daughter Heather Nelson Koch of Portland, Oregon, son-in-law Randy Koch and grandson William, age 10. Emily is also survived by her two younger sisters, Margaret Caudell of Bloomington, IN and Sue Herring of Orangevale, CA.

Emily was raised in Stratford, CT, the daughter of the late Ruth (Lathrop) and William Weir Miskimmon McCracken. She had great memories living by the ocean near the lighthouse in Lordship and has always loved the shore. Emily graduated from Stratford High School and the University of Connecticut. She made her way to Manchester shortly after UConn, where she lived the rest of her life. While her children were young, she worked in the office of pediatrician Dr. Malone, meeting many Manchester families. In the later 70's, she began work at the Manchester Town Clerk's office, where she became Assistant Town Clerk until she retired in 2005.

In addition to working and raising her family, Emily was active for many years on the Town's volunteer Fourth of July committee, organizing the annual Manchester Celebration and designing popular t-shirts to commemorate the event. Emily also became a talented calligrapher over the years. She created beautiful pieces for clients and exhibits, but most of all poured her heart into gifts and donated pieces, from a treasured version of the Manchester Town Seal to various Town Proclamations. Emily enjoyed gardening, the many cats that she nurtured over the years, and music from many genres - from classical music to folk, oldies and musical theatre. She loved singing beautiful harmonies and enjoyed playing the piano. Emily especially enjoyed the performances of her husband's band, "Time Was." She savored many vacations in Ogunquit, ME, where she and John would enjoy long walks on the beach and nightly lobster feasts. After retirement, Emily relished the relative quiet of life at home. She was also a member of North United Methodist Church.

Her family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff and doctors at the Alzheimer's Resource Center of Connecticut, where Emily spent her last two weeks and received gentle palliative care.
Funeral services will be held Thursday May 14, 2015 at 11:00 AM at the North United Methodist Church, 300 Parker St., Manchester. Burial will be private in the East Cemetery. Calling hours will be held Wednesday from 4-7 PM at the Holmes Funeral Home, 400 Main St., Manchester. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Emily Raymond to the Alzheimer's Association CT Chapter, 200 Executive Blvd, Suite 4B, Southington, CT 06489. To share memories with or send condolences to the family please visit www.holmes-watkinsfuneralhomes.com .


Visitation DetailsWednesday, May 13th, 2015 4:00pm - 7:00pmService DetailsThursday, May 14th, 2015 11:00am, North United Methodist Church
Interment DetailsEast Cemetery