Born February 10, 1936, in Montreal Quebec to George and Elizabeth Huha, passed away at home November 7, 2025, in Sault Ste. Marie Ontario, age 89, just 2 weeks shy of her 71st wedding anniversary.
The daughter of Slovakian immigrants who moved through Montreal to settle in Windsor Ontario, studious young Emily excelled academically, completing high school a full two years early. A short career in insurance administration followed school, but marriage to Bill in 1954 meant the enterprising young couple would quickly build their own home in suburban Windsor, and start a family. With the 1960 opening of the Trans Canada Hwy west of Sault Ste. Marie, they made the difficult decision to leave Windsor, and ended up settling for the next 20 years in the booming frontier town of Wawa Ontario.
By now, readers will note the story of Emily is really the 71 year story of Emily and Bill. Opportunities “up north” were plentiful, and family life in Wawa saw the young couple progress from humble beginnings, wintering their first year in a house trailer in snow deeper than they’d ever seen before, through two new homes, to building an apartment 6 plex, launching Wawa Plumbing & Heating, and becoming proprietors of the Lakewood Motel 1967-74. Through all the businesses, Emily deftly handled the books while keeping three children actively engaged in an endless variety of extra curriculars… Choosing to raise their family in Wawa was genius in retrospect, and our parents both saw to it our lives were active and full. We owe a great deal to our mom Emily for catalyzing our many activities, and also for fostering a healthy work ethic… homework was a priority, and allowances were earned through chores!
By the late 1970s, with children growing up and away for school, eventual retirement began to appeal, and their “final move” from Wawa to the Sault unfolded in 1980. Running a motel had proven quite demanding, and Emily was relieved and happy to wind that project down. While dad finished his working career at the Sault’s Federal Entomology Lab, mom finally had time to tackle new hobbies, but also suffered very challenging health issues and luckily pulled through. Grandchildren would soon dominate their attention. Children always enthused Emily and Bill both; grandchildren perhaps most of all.
Through the years, when not fully occupied with the businesses, Emily and Bill vacationed across most of Canada and much of the US, but family was always the priority. Visits to our grandparents and the families of Emily’s two brothers in Windsor, were regular annual treats for us as young Wawa kids. Emily enjoyed knitting, and many of our family closets are guaranteed to contain a sweater or blanket or two, that will remind us of her.
Emily’s passing has suddenly emphasized the realization that she was a loving, thoughtful, selfless woman in so many ways, always looking out for children, grandchildren, and our dad Bill in his own failing health, right to her end. How do any of us simply say “thank you”?
She was the last of her parents and brothers to leave us, and the memories, for which we remain so grateful, are many. Emily is survived by her husband Bill; son Bill Jr. (Karin); daughter Leslie; granddaughters Melanie, Kate, and Alisa (Lance); grandsons Aaron, Graeme and Malcolm; great granddaughters Ariel, Autumn, Maya and Ellianna; and many nieces and nephews. Emily was pre-deceased by her parents George and Elizabeth; brother Doug and wife Elaine; brother Vince (Bernice); and daughter Janice (Tony).
Emily was quietly interred by immediate family on November 12, 2025 in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, where she rests under the gravestone to be later shared with Bill Sr..
The family wishes to thank Drs. Spadafora and Reich, and the numerous aid workers who attended Emily over the last year of her life especially. Bill Jr. and family in Winnipeg would also like to specifically thank the family of his late sister Janice, and especially niece Alisa and sister Leslie for their diligent, virtually daily attention and care.
Donations are not requested, but we encourage and appreciate your act of kindness toward any charity or shelter of your choice in Emily’s memory, or planting a tree. Thank you.
Visit www.osullivanfuneralhome.com to leave condolences for the family. Arrangements entrusted to O’Sullivan Funeral Home, 215 St. James St., Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., P6A 1P7, 705-759-8456.