Emili Johnson
If you run into anyone who knew Stansbury Park mother of 4, Emili Eaton Johnson, you will likely hear the same thing time and time again, “Emili made everyone feel like her very best friend!” They will tell you that Emili was always the first one to welcome someone new to the neighborhood, to bring a handmade baby blanket to a new mother, or to offer a smile and a helping hand to anyone in need. Truly, Emili left behind countless best friends. As the second of 13 siblings, Emili never wanted for a playmate growing up in Cottonwood Heights, UT. Her sisters would forever be her closest friends—even living within walking distance of several of them in adulthood. Frequent travelers of the mountain trails near their home, Emili would always fondly recall the outdoor adventures they had as a family and the love and laughter that permeated their home. Always an incredibly hard worker, Emili became an accomplished gymnast, ballerina, and lover of books and learning. Yet, above all else, Emili always prioritized the relationships in her life. An idealist at heart, from a young age Emili was determined to do her part in creating a world where love and joy were present for all and evil and heartache ceased to exist. She continued spreading goodness wherever she went while attending and eventually graduating from Snow College and while serving an 18-month mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in both Brazil and Iowa.
Love came unexpectedly for Emili in 2000 on a blind date with a young man by the name of Kevin Johnson. It may not have been the most romantic of dates—Chucky Cheese’s to be exact—but it only took a few laughter-filled games of skeeball and mini golf with Emili for Kevin to know that this intelligent, bright, and kind woman was the one. Soon thereafter, the couple settled in Stansbury Park, where Emili used her many talents to make their house into home, and where they have spent the last 16 years raising their 4 children—Preston, age 16; Dallin, age 11; Lauren, age 6; and Alyssa, age 3.
Although Emili believed in a world of happy endings for all, their lives would not be spared the pain and trials that are so common to this middle act, called earth life, in the grand play of eternity. In May 2019, after over a year of unexplainable pain, medical tests with indeterminate results, and almost constant illness, Emili went in a blood test, only to be told that her condition was critical and that she would need to be admitted immediately. Even with a prompt diagnosis of Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), still, no one could have predicted that Emili had mere days left to live. After one last burst of joy and energy with her family beside her on Mother’s Day, Emili slipped away in the early morning hours that following Wednesday.
Yet, because of the woman Emili was and the multitude of “best friends” she accumulated with her love and service during her life, Kevin and their children still feel Emili’s influence daily through the love and service that Emili’s friends now offer to them. “I receive letters, texts, meals, hugs, and kind words (from those who Emili loved) every day. This is how she continues to touch my life, because she touched so many, and they are touching my life now.”
In the days just before she passed away, Kevin and Emili read a quote together that gave them great peace and hope. “If you saw the size of the blessing coming, you would understand the magnitude of the battle you are fighting.” Although the battle rages on as they are physically separated for a time, there is no doubt that Emili’s grand happy ending still awaits her. As they await that joyful reunion, Emili’s example inspires each of us to spend the time we do have here developing those relationships that matter most, and to remember that every stranger we meet is just another best friend waiting to happen.
Love came unexpectedly for Emili in 2000 on a blind date with a young man by the name of Kevin Johnson. It may not have been the most romantic of dates—Chucky Cheese’s to be exact—but it only took a few laughter-filled games of skeeball and mini golf with Emili for Kevin to know that this intelligent, bright, and kind woman was the one. Soon thereafter, the couple settled in Stansbury Park, where Emili used her many talents to make their house into home, and where they have spent the last 16 years raising their 4 children—Preston, age 16; Dallin, age 11; Lauren, age 6; and Alyssa, age 3.
Although Emili believed in a world of happy endings for all, their lives would not be spared the pain and trials that are so common to this middle act, called earth life, in the grand play of eternity. In May 2019, after over a year of unexplainable pain, medical tests with indeterminate results, and almost constant illness, Emili went in a blood test, only to be told that her condition was critical and that she would need to be admitted immediately. Even with a prompt diagnosis of Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), still, no one could have predicted that Emili had mere days left to live. After one last burst of joy and energy with her family beside her on Mother’s Day, Emili slipped away in the early morning hours that following Wednesday.
Yet, because of the woman Emili was and the multitude of “best friends” she accumulated with her love and service during her life, Kevin and their children still feel Emili’s influence daily through the love and service that Emili’s friends now offer to them. “I receive letters, texts, meals, hugs, and kind words (from those who Emili loved) every day. This is how she continues to touch my life, because she touched so many, and they are touching my life now.”
In the days just before she passed away, Kevin and Emili read a quote together that gave them great peace and hope. “If you saw the size of the blessing coming, you would understand the magnitude of the battle you are fighting.” Although the battle rages on as they are physically separated for a time, there is no doubt that Emili’s grand happy ending still awaits her. As they await that joyful reunion, Emili’s example inspires each of us to spend the time we do have here developing those relationships that matter most, and to remember that every stranger we meet is just another best friend waiting to happen.
