Emilie Andrea Dufour

Emilie Andrea Dufour passed away surrounded by family on February 9, 2023, in Dallas, Texas. Born to Raymond and Rejane Dufour in Houston, Texas, in 1967, she was their fifth child and the baby of the family. Emilie was born with Down Syndrome at a time when the resources and support for individuals with that condition were scarce. In spite of the less than optimistic prognostications about her future, her parents were determined to love her and do all in their power to make her life full and rich. Her childhood was happy; she was a special member of a big, busy and raucous family. A key attribute that would define Emilie’s life was born and cultivated during this time - the ability to draw people to her. Everyone who crossed the threshold of her home quickly became her friend. Many of her siblings' friends and acquaintances during those years learned powerful lessons about the special gifts that those with disabilities possess and accepted Emilie as a buddy and pal.

After successfully completing her elementary and secondary school education, Emilie would move on to the world of work. Through programming designed to support those with special needs, Emilie would find herself engaged in structured tasks in various environments - even a medical tech lab! Eventually, she began attending Bridgewood Farms in Montgomery County, Texas, near Houston, an organization dedicated to supporting those with intellectual disabilities in living a full and meaningful life. Days were filled with learning and growing and friends just like her. Emilie was also a Special Olympian in bowling and bocce ball. She had boundless energy - there was never a time when she wasn’t up and dressed early in the morning ready to head out and embrace her day. Emilie was a fashionista and loved pretty clothes, so she would devote much time to selecting her outfits. She loved art and music as well and created many special pieces during her years at Bridgewood. Emilie loved the spotlight and became the Mistress of Ceremonies at many a family event. The running joke was that you couldn’t give a microphone to Emilie or else you would never see it again!

Emilie’s dad passed away in 1997 - a very sad loss for her and the entire family. Eventually, she and her mother would move to Dallas, Texas, to be closer to one of her sisters there. She and her mom would become a dynamic duo, living together and supporting one another in their new life in the metroplex. Emilie became quite an accomplished techie during this time. She mastered MacBooks, iPads, Apple watches and iPhones. She began exercise with a personal trainer - an activity that was valued more by her for its social attributes than its physical benefits! There was lots of shopping (did we mention that Em was a bit spoiled?), dining out, movies, games and other activities. As her mother aged, life came full circle and she would become the helper and the caregiver - supporting her mom with tasks around the home that she could no longer perform. When her mother passed away in 2016, Emilie went to live alternately with two of her older sisters and another door opened for her. She began to attend My Possibilities in Plano, Texas - an extraordinary program devoted to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. There she became a HIPster - a Hugely Important Person. MP has a wonderful and diverse curriculum that allowed Em to explore many subjects of interest to her such as Girl Power, Animal Friends, Computer Lab, Cooking and the ever popular Karaoke. She made many friends there and one very special friend, Ali. Ali is and was a loving, caring, funny and supportive friend - a rare and precious gift to Emilie. They enjoyed countless hours of fun and laughing and wonderful happy times together.

Emilie loved sweets, Chuck Norris, country western music, Diet Coke, big gaudy jewelry, classic TV sitcoms, computers, coloring and painting, going out to eat, shopping, celebrations large and small, the holidays, meeting and talking to anyone and everyone, jokes (she was very quick witted), and her family. As Alzheimer’s dementia would begin to take its toll on her, she remained sweet, loving and always so special. Her life that was destined for so little was consequential beyond measure. She touched and taught so many and we were all made better by knowing and loving her.

Emilie was preceded in death by her father, Raymond Joseph Dufour, and her mother, Rejane Paquette Dufour. She is survived by her siblings, Louise Dufour Murphy, Julie Dufour Loomis, Jean Marc Dufour and Elaine Dufour Small; devoted brothers and sister-in-law; 9 nieces and nephews; 7 great-nieces and nephews; and countless friends.

A visitation will be held on February 14, from 5-7:30 pm at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home, 7405 W. Northwest Hwy., Dallas, TX, 75225. A funeral Mass will be held on February 15, at 10 am at Christ the King Catholic Church, 8017 Preston Road, Dallas, TX, 75225, with a reception following the service. She will be interred at Forest Park Cemetery in The Woodlands, TX.

Our family would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the staff at Prestonwood Court in Plano, TX, for their compassionate care of our Em. We also sincerely thank her physician, Dr. Cynthia Wilder, whose care of Emilie was so personal and attentive over these many years.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Emilie’s name to My Possibilities in Plano, Texas.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Sparkman-Hillcrest.com for the Dufour family.