Emily Hess McCormick died peacefully on Sunday, May 29, 2022 with her daughter Cindy by her side.  She would have celebrated her 96th birthday this July at the Village at Penn State Atrium, where she lived for over five years.  Previously, she had enjoyed Independent Living at the Village with her husband Barney,  now deceased.  Prior to that, they lived in College Heights for roughly 60 years.

Emily was born in West Hazleton, PA., on July 21, 1926, the daughter of the late Charles and Kathryn Hess.  She married Barney in 1946 and she began working as an administrative assistant in Willard Building at Penn State while he worked toward his PhD in Aeronautical Engineering.  Six years later, they became the proud parents of Cynthia Joan.  Emily balanced the demands of motherhood with continuing her professional studies in the pursuit of an elementary education degree, ultimately earning this distinction in 1961.

After graduation, she served as a Kindergarten, 1st Grade, and 2nd Grade teacher at Easterly Parkway, College Heights, and Radio Park Elementary Schools. Emily loved teaching children to read.  She was noted for her development of "The Morning Letter", which is a technique for gradually building a sight vocabulary in young children.  To this day, this method has been adopted and promoted by many school districts.   She retired from teaching with 32 years of service.

In her retirement, Emily was passionate about supporting the campus and community.  She volunteered many hours at the American Red Cross Blood Drive on Pugh Street.  Many Blood donors in State College may remember Emily as a gracious hostess who greeted them on Tuesdays at that Red Cross Bloodmobile.  During her roughly 25 years of volunteering for the Red Cross, she received numerous awards for her dedication, including Red Cross Volunteer of the Year in 2003.  Emily was also an ardent volunteer at the PSU Conference Center, the Mt. Nittany Medical Center, the Central Pennsylvania Arts Festival, and other events.

Emily and Barney were married for 71 years, and they are survived by one daughter Cindy and her husband Ken Miceli of Mechanicsburg, Pa.  She is also survived by five grandchildren and their spouses and their children:  Joan Fairbank (Jeremiah) of Phoenix, MD., Gerald Miceli (Ashley) of Downingtown, PA., Rebecca Benfield (Jeff) of Malvern, PA., Emily Guy (Jeff) of New Cumberland, PA., and Thomas Miceli (Jean) of Denver, CO.  Emily's eleven greatgrandchildren include Luca, James, Libby, Tommy, Charlie, Kennedy, Lucy, Max, Molly, Drew, and Natalie.  Emily was predeceased by her brother Dr. Donald Hess of York, PA., and her sister Elizabeth Grimm of Conyngham, PA.

Emily's family fondly remembers their Nana and Papa dancing to classic 1940s & 50s swing music and love songs.  They cherish the time spent together playing card games and baking sugar cookies.  Also, they are grateful for her tips on sewing and gardening.  Mostly, they will always remember her excitement and love for 'anything Penn State'.

Arrangements are being handled by the Haky/Georgiana Centre County Funeral Home, with the Memorial Service to be held Monday, June 6 at 2:00 PM in the Community Room at the Village at Penn State.  A graveside service will immediately follow at Centre County Memorial Park.  Pastor Scott Schul, from Grace Lutheran Church, will preside and Ms. Koya Ohmoto will be the pianist. An online guestbook may be signed and condolences left for the family at www.hakygeorgianafh.com

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Emily's honor to: (1) The SCASD Education Foundation, 240 Villa Crest Drive, State College, PA. 16801, or (2) The American Red Cross, 328 Innovation Blvd. – Suite 212, State College, PA. 16803, or (3) The Village at Penn State Residents Annual Fund, c/o Jim Scott, 237 Lions Hill Road, State College, PA. 16803.  (Donations to this fund will go directly to the many nurses and staff who lovingly cared for Emily and Barney at the Village at Penn State.  Emily's family offers heartfelt thanks to all.)