Emma Jane : Her daughter Carolyn has passed away

[mcgowantk]

I am very sad to report that Emma Jane passed away last night. Emma Jane was like a foster mother to many pilots, including me. She and her family welcomed us to their farm for many years and were big supporters of the sport. Over the years many of us spent time visiting with her and her family. I spoke with her a couple of weeks ago and she repeated how much we meant to her. She will be missed. I will pass along any information I receive regarding services.

Take care

Tom McGowan

[markc]

I am feeling like an absolute heel right now.

Many intentions to contact Emma Jane in the aftermath of Randy's death and then Karen's. Knew I should do so. Knew that the lack of pilots and flying at High Rock would be a huge loss. Still, couldn't face going up there....

But hey, how about a letter or a phone call dude? Often started, never followed through.

You would think I would have received the life-is-short message by now. Damn.

[mcgowantk]

Well - I guess I made quite a mistake. Emma Jane did not pass away. I thought I was speaking with Carolyn, her daughter, but in fact I was being told that Carolyn has passed away. I am very sorry to pass along incorrect information. To repeat, Emma Jane is ok but her daughter Carolyn has passed.

Emma Jane wanted me to let everyone know that the services will be at 10:00 Friday at the Davis Funeral Home in Smithsburg.

Again, I am very sorry to garble this message and for the pain it may have caused.

Sincerely

Tom McGowan

[CraginS]

Wednesday evening, I just spoke with Emma Jane. She told me she has spoken with Tom, Dave P, and Mark C. She had several requests: say a prayer for her, try to get up to the funeral on Friday, give her a call once in a while to see how she is doing.
She has a grandson staying with her now, but after Friday he will have to be going home. She will be alone at the house after that.
Her landline is no longer working, but she answered her cell # right away. Does anyone need that number?

I intend to go up for the funeral. Anyone else?
If I get into Smithsburg early, I will be at the coffee shop on Main Street, juat west of Water St.

[markc]

Well, I am simultaneously relieved and sad. Relieved that I can still reconnect with Emma-Jane. But very sad about yet another loss for her. Three, maybe four of her kids gone over the years? That's more than any mom should have to face.

[CraginS]

Steve K, Joe S, Dave P, Tom McG, Mark C, and I all made it up through the downpour on I-270 to attend the service. We each spent some time with Emma Jane during the viewing and visitaton before the service. She was, not surprisingly, really shaken by this loss. Carolyn was 65 years old, and this had not been expected. We spoke with Carolyn’s daughter Kim, who had orginially called Tom. Kim appreciated having pilots there, saying HG pilots had been part of her life since she was a little girl.