Emma Bernardon Bauarschi died on April 26, 2021 at the age of 86. She was the beloved mother of Lorette Bauarschi, Raymond Bauarschi and his wife, Joanne, and Gabrielle Adams and her husband, Tony, the beloved grandmother of Nicole, Ashley and Kendall, and the loving wife of Gabriel (“Gabby”) M. Bauarschi, who predeceased her in 2004.
Emma was born in New York, New York on June 27, 1934. From a young age, she loved education and was thrilled to be able to attend Hunter College in New York (which at that time provided free tuition) to study international affairs, specializing in political science, economics, history and languages. She continued her education with a full scholarship to the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in Washington DC and Bologna, Italy, where she obtained a Master’s Degree. After graduate school, she joined the U.S. Foreign Service. Her first assignment was as a Vice Consul to the American Consulate in Kampala, Uganda, the first woman to be posted there.
That’s where she met Gabby. After a two year courtship, Gabby convinced Emma to give up her career in Foreign Service (which was a requirement back then) to marry him. After living in Kampala for two more years, they moved to New York in 1963. Gabby’s work brought them to Houston, Texas in 1973. Although she always considered being a mother her primary job, Emma continued working, first at the Houston Public Library, then at the Italian Trade Commission, and finally at the Institute of International Education.
Emma was a devout Christian and was confident of her eternal life. Emma loved her family, art, music (especially Italian opera), literature, politics and baseball. She could converse on pretty much any topic and to her family, she was the most interesting person we ever met.
Emma was the heart and soul of her family and no words can express how much she was loved and respected and how much she will be missed. Per Emma’s wishes, the family is planning a small, private memorial service. The family would appreciate that any remembrances be made to The Hunter College Foundation, New York, New York, and the School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University, Washington DC.
DONATIONS
The Hunter College Foundation, New York, New York, New York, New York
The School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University, Washington DC
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