Emmilia S. Hartney, 74

Emmilia "Emmy" Hartney, 74, was born on Jan. 1, 1950, claiming the honor of third place in the cutest newborn baby pageant, to Clayton and Mary Gassaway in Mansfield, Ohio. She passed into our Lord’s eternal embrace on April 29, 2024, in Kalispell, first place in the hearts of her children and grandchildren. 

Emmy began as a guidance counselor at Westminster College in Salt Lake City, Utah in the late 70's before moving to St. Peter’s High School in Mansfield, Ohio in the early 80's. Moving back to Salt Lake City four years later, Emmy pursued a middle school teaching position where she remained for over a decade. She was a teacher to all students of all abilities. She believed in an engaging, positive, and encouraging learning environment and was quite adept at fostering even the most stubborn student to enjoy her classroom. When leading dissection lessons, she gave extra credit to students who found the “Hart” and the “Ney” in their specimens.

With the building of St. John the Baptist Middle School in Draper, Utah in 1999, Emmy found joy in teaching (recognized as one of Utah’s outstanding educators in 2009) then ultimately as the assistant principal until 2012. During her time in Utah, she coordinated the Summer Science Camp, Fusion Fair, Diocesan science fairs, and led many NASA/student participation projects. 

Her journey took her to Montana with the birth of her grandchildren wherein she remained the ultimate teacher, caretaker, and encourager for them. Emmy taught at St. Matthew’s Catholic School in Kalispell, and was their registrar in her final earthly year of life. Emmy’s children and grandchildren, coworkers, improv group, friends, and crochet group were forever invigorated by her infectious joy of living and experiencing all God has to offer. There are no words to express how deeply she will be missed in the daily lives of her children, grandchildren, friends, and colleagues.

She was preceded in death by her mother, father, sister, Marilyn; and brother, David. 

She is survived by her daughter, Katy (Erin); son, Mark (Bobbye); grandchildren, Ava and Gavin; niece, Julia; and countless cousins. 

A funeral Mass for Emmy will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 17, at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church. The Rosary will be said prior from 10:15 - 10:45 a.m., with a luncheon following Mass. 

Arrangements are under the care of Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory.