Emily Lodato was born on March 28, 1918 in Greenwich Village, in the heart of New York City. She was the oldest daughter to James Vincent Lodato and Lillian Lodato. Her younger siblings, both deceased, were sister Anita and brother Vinny.
Emily excelled in school and loved fashion design and interior decorating. She attended school for dress design but, amidst a struggling economy, changed her path to become a comptometer operator. The comptometer was the first commercially successful key-driven mechanical calculator.
In the early 1940s, with her mother falling ill, Emily befriended her mother’s physician, Herman Grossman, who frequented the house to care for her mother. Emily assumed a working role in Dr. Grossman’s medical office as the friendship grew into love. They were married for 16 years until a divorce separated them.
Later, Emily met James Thompson at a country club. A tall, handsome Texan, she grew fond of him quickly! Following their wedding, Emily, James, and daughter Maryann moved to Maryland in the early 1960s to build the Tantallon Country Club and Home Estates. James’ role as a golf architect allowed them to travel and relocate often. Emily and James enjoyed travelling to Scotland and England, as well as many other destinations scouting out country club locations. They moved to Houston and again to Dallas to design new golf courses. Emily and James enjoyed life together for 18 years until James’ unfortunate death in Dallas, in 1984.
Emily then relocated to Maryland to be closer to her daughter Maryann and grandchildren, Emily, Ben, Blake, and Elizabeth, who affectionately called her “Noni.” She found the perfect location in Leisure World, where she could enjoy friends, family, events and parties! As the President of the Landscaping and Environmental Club, Noni loved flowers and plants.
In 2011, Noni relocated to Brook Grove, where the staff and neighbors referred to as “Ms. Hollywood” for her amazing sense of style. She remained ever-present in parties and events and was loved for her passion, energy, and unending leopard clothes, fur hats, and big glasses! It was no surprise that this strong, effervescent woman would enjoy a bountiful life of 100 1/2 years.
Noni is survived by her only daughter Maryann Baron and son-in-law Greg Baron; granddaughter Emily Ali and Emily’s husband Ben Ali and their sons Arman and Brandon; grandson Ben Baron and his wife Stephanie Baron and their daughter Lauren; grandson Blake Baron and his wife Danielle Baron and their sons Joaquim and Gabriel; granddaughter Elizabeth Niaz and her husband Matt Niaz and their daughter Isabella Niaz, who all know how greatly blessed they were to have had Noni in their lives.
