Obituary of M. Emily Giris

Emily Giris passed away on September 17, 2022 at the age of 87. A fierce three-time breast cancer survivor, she was sadly unable to overcome some unrelated medical issues of the past several months, despite her valiant efforts. Born and raised on the lower east side of Manhattan to immigrant parents, Emily was the first in her family to attend college at the age of 16. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Queens College and her Master’s degree from CW Post – Long Island University. She was an elementary school teacher for over 30 years, beginning in NYC public schools in the 50s. She took time off from teaching to raise her three children during which time she was actively involved in community causes, including the Plainedge Council of PTAs, the PTAs of each of the schools her children attended, Girls Scouts and Boy Scouts. She returned to the classroom part-time in the 1970’s at Schwarting School where she first assisted in the Learning Center, and returned full-time as math specialist in 1980. Her career at Plainedge Public Schools spanned four decades, during which she was and remains beloved by her many students. She enjoyed puzzles and word games, and was the Boggle and Scrabble family champion. She loved camping with her family at Ricker Pond in Vermont, and in later years, the annual trips with her husband to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania or to Canada where they enjoyed exploring Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. She was never able to take her “dream trip” to Alaska. She is predeceased by her husband of nearly 64 years, Alexander Giris, who passed away in 2020. Emily will be missed tremendously by her three children and their spouses, Andrew & Kathy, Michael & Nancy, and Janet & John, and her seven grandchildren, Kristen, Matthew, Alex, Daniel, Lisa, Skye, & Brooke of whom she was so proud.