Emily J. Harper

Emily J. Harper, 75, of Worcester, MA passed away on September 25th after a six month battle with cancer. She was born to the late Arthur S. Bent and Ruth F. Bent (Allen) in Stoneham, MA. Emily attended Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School in South Yarmouth, MA. She was married to the late Danny E. Harper. They met at Otis Air Force Base, Cape Cod and lived in various locations throughout the country during her husband’s occupation with the USAF. They lived in Massachusetts, Oregon, Wyoming, New Hampshire, Washington and Texas. Her husband passed away in 1991 and she relocated to Massachusetts to be near her parents and other family members.

Emily worked in various occupations starting as an assistant to late Senator Ted Kennedy, various roles in the hospitality industry, a nursing assistant, and lastly hospital administration.

Emily attended the First Baptist Church in Hyannis, MA as a child and continued to attend over the years during her many return visits to Cape Cod. She loved her family very much and she was extremely proud of her children and her grandchildren and their accomplishments.

Emily is survived by her partner Donald Brickman of 20 years. Her daughter Cindy-Lou Calder and husband John Calder of Shrewsbury, MA, and their children James, Timothy and Patrick along with Patrick's husband Jason Horton. Her son David A. Harper and his wife Blayne Harper of Park City, UT and his children Ryan Harper (who is to be married on Friday September 30th which she was so looking forward to being a part of this joyous occasion, we know there will be angel watching over this union), and Christopher Harper and his wife Gabriela. Her son Robert A. Harper predeceased her in 2013. Robert's children are Samantha Eastman and her husband Jeremy Eastman of Washington, Danielle Harper of Grand Prairie, TX, Baylen Harper of Leicester, MA, and Tyler Sloan of Leciester, MA. Eileen Moore and her husband Todd, along with their children Coti, Jack and Olivia of Colchester, VT. She also is survived by 6 great grandchildren, Miah, Jaya, Aniyah, Micah, Payton and Bailey. Donald's son Donald Brickman, Jr and his wife Carolyn Brickman and their two children of Worcester, Ma. Her two brothers Allen Bent and his wife Judy of Surfside Beach, SC and Arthur Bent and his wife Marty Bent, of Stewart, FL.

Emily did not have sisters growing up, but she had a wonderful group of women that were very close to her and gave her enormous comfort in the last 6 months of her life. Susan Buckley of Osterville, MA. Barbara Bent King of Bass River, MA, Patricia Sloan of Leicester, MA and her former daughter in law Martha Harper of Des Moines, Washington who had long distance phone calls with her in the mornings while they drank their coffee. She will miss her beloved Yorkie, Sadie.

Her family would like to thank the staff at UMASS Cancer Center 5 south, Dr. Walsh and 6 south oncology nurse, Kerry who was so kind to her. She is greatly thankful for the years of care her primary care physician provided her throughout several different treatments, Dr. Adler or UMass Memorial.

Visiting Hours will take place Wednesday, September 28, 2016 from 10am to 12noon at Doane, Beal & Ames Funeral Home, 160 W. Main St. Hyannis, MA 02601 followed by a 12noon service. Burial will take place at Hillside Cemetery, Osterville, MA.

Donations may be made in Emily’s honor to the American Cancer Society or Veteran’s Inc, 69 Grove Street, Worcester, MA 01605.