Emily Sweeney passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 28, 2007, surrounded by her loving family. Emmy was born August 2, 1956 in Idaho Falls, Idaho to her parents, Barbara and Norris Gesas. She married Terry Sweeney in 1983, and moved to Oshkosh, Wisconsin that same year, where they settled and started a family. Their three children were the center of her life and raising them became her purpose and her strength in her fight to live.

You are what your deep driving desire is.
As your desire is, so is your will.
As your will is, so is your deed.
As your deed is, so is your destiny

These are words Emily lived by. Her strength of will, and her determination to raise her children, has carried her, and her family, through these past 12 years. This beautiful accomplishment is evident in her children Garrett, Peter and Natalie, by their closeness to each other, their enthusiasm for life, and their deep, abiding love for their mother and father. In addition to her children, Emmy had many other passions in life, especially being outdoors experiencing Mother Nature. She cherished spending time in the North woods with her family and friends. Most enjoyable were the early mornings alone on the dock in prayer and meditation, with only the loons listening in. She loved long walks in the forest along Wooded Lane. She drew great strength from nature during these times. She valued her many dear friends and co-workers at Read and Roosevelt Elementary Schools. She took a special pleasure in reading to children and spoke with excitement when describing how their eyes would light up as she read from the various stories. She is survived by her husband Terry, her children Garrett, Peter, and Natalie, her uncle Wayne Willis, Grand Island, NE, her aunt Catherine Nelson, Idaho Falls, ID, her cousins Joe Nelson (Rena), Houston, TX, and Victoria McDonald, Ketchikan, AK, her nephew Alex Patterson (Krista), Boise, ID, her mother-in-law Ruth Sweeney, Madison, WI, and her guardian angel, Simon. She is preceded in death by her mother and father, Barbara and Norris Gesas, her sister Mary Gesas Pond all of Idaho Falls, Idaho, her Aunt Mary Willis, Grand Island, NE, and her father-in-law Vincent Sweeney. A Funeral Mass for Emmy will be held on Thursday November 1, 2007, at 11:00 a.m., at St. Raphael's Catholic Church, 830 S. Westhaven Drive, (Oshkosh, WI), with the Rev. Douglas LeCaptain officiating. There will be a visitation at the church from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Wednesday October 31, and again on Thursday from 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., with services to follow. In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be sent to either of the following: The International Breast Cancer Research Foundation, 660 John Nolan Drive, Madison, WI 53713, or, UW Cancer Research Fund, 600 Highland Ave, K4/666, Madison Wisconsin, 53792, Attn: Ian Robins

The family would like to thank the entire staff at the University of Wisconsin Comprehensive Cancer Center. Especially Dr. Ian Robins for his delicate care over the last three years. Also, to all the angels that are nurses in the Oncology department and treatment room. Your kindness has given us comfort and hope for many years. Finally to Dr. Richard Love for his care in the early years and for his friendship today. To all of you, we know that Emily was your shining star, a true success story for you in your often-difficult world. Thank You.