Emily was born on March 26, 1935 in Topsham, Maine; the daughter of Mary and James Sawyer. Emily attended Freeport schools. She was a dedicated employee, with her first job out of school being at L.L. Bean as an office worker. She worked as a bookkeeper at Eastland Shoe for years; Deputy Tax Collector and Office Manager for the Town of Freeport and then secretary for Freeport school system, with her latest employment being accounts payable / payroll clerk for Olympia Sports. Other than brief periods of time home to raise her family, Emily worked most of her adult life.
In October 1955, Emily married Thomas A. Brockway, with the couple having 61 years of marriage together. Emily had a life rich with the love of family and a circle of friends that adored her. Emily and her husband enjoyed much of their married life in Freeport, Maine, where they made their home and raised their family. They enjoyed camping, snowmobiling, traveling, music, dancing and spending time with family and friends. In her later years, they wintered in Florida and in 2013, they relocated to Orange Park, Florida.
Emily was very active in Eastern Star, having held the office of Past Matron of Casco Chapter 160 in Freeport and Grand Martha for the Grand Chapter of Maine.
Emily is survived by her husband, Thomas A Brockway; daughter Sherry Duncan and husband Steve of Fleming Island, FL; daughter Wendy Rowe and husband David of Woodland Park, CO; daughter Kimberly Swasey and husband Steve of Andover, Maine; and a son, Mark Brockway and partner, Jackie Downing of Freeport, Maine. Grandchildren include Erica, Chad, Matthew, Katrina, Christopher and Andrew. Great grandchildren include Haylie, Garrett, Preston, Dylan and Baylee. She is also survived by an uncle, George Fox, a brother, George Briggs and wife Diane; and a sister Rebecca Dennison. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and extended family/ friends.
Emily is predeceased by her mother, Mary H. Briggs; her father, James “Cyclone” Sawyer, a brother Richard “Chip” Sawyer; a brother Theodore “Chester” Briggs; and a step-father, George Briggs.
Emily will be greatly missed, as she was a warm, gentle, compassionate soul with a bright smile and beautiful eyes. She had a strong spirit and a love for family and friends. Everyone was richer for having known her.
Visiting hours will be Sunday, October 23 from 4-6 PM at Stetson’s Funeral Home, 12 Federal St., Brunswick, where a funeral service will be held Monday, October 24 at 10 AM. Burial will follow in Burr Cemetery, Freeport.
Condolences may be expressed at stetsonsfuneralhome.com.
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