Emily Kuykendall

Emily Florence Gilmore Kuykendall of Odessa passed away on Tuesday 17th November, 2009. She was born June 28th, 1941, at The Craigs, Ballymoney, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, the eldest of four daughters to the late John and Florrie Gilmore.

Emily graduated from the Northern Ireland Catering College in Portrush, Co Antrim and worked at Princess Gardens School in Belfast and British Oxygen in Londonderry before emigrating to the US in 1962, first to Minnesota then moving to Salt Lake City. She moved to Texas to take up a position working at Neiman Marcus in Dallas and then at the home of H. L. Hunt before moving to Odessa where she worked for 15 years as a dietitian at Medical Center Hospital and, prior to her retirement, at Midland Memorial Hospital. During her work at the hospital Emily was known as a caring and loving friend to her patients and to all her colleagues who remember her with great affection.

While living in Odessa Emily was involved in many community organizations including the Globe Theater, the Presidential Museum, Presbyterian Women and was President of Odessa Garden Club.

Emily married the late John A. Kuykendall on December 8, 1984 and is survived by her step-children Nancy Jacobson of Whitesboro, Texas husband Bill, children James Thomas Jaymmi, CJ and Cayleah and Brandy Hinton and husband Jeffrey and their children Kolton and Brayden, Mike Kuykendall of Odessa wife Cindy, children Jennifer and Michael and Vicki Richardson of Odessa children Allison Price and husband Michael, children Blaine and Chance, and John Digby, children Garrett, Zane and Brady, and her beloved companions, pets Brady, Crissie and Maggie Mae.

Her sisters are Linda Manescalchi husband Giovanni of Radlett, Hertfordshire, England, Jean Griffin husband Terry and children Linda and Lorraine of Coleraine, Co. Londonderry, Northern Ireland and Rosemary Savage husband Irvine and son Jonathan of Limavady, Co. Londonderry, Northern Ireland.

Emily loved life and will be remembered and honored by many friends. Her family is especially grateful for the tender care that she received at Texas Oncology and Midland Hospice. She fought her illness bravely and with grace.

Graveside services are scheduled for 1:00 PM Saturday, November 21, 2009 at Sunset Memorial Gardens with Rev. David Harwood officiating.

The family requests memorials be directed to Hospice of Midland, 911 W. Texas, Midland, Texas 79701.

Service

Graveside Services

Sunset Memorial Gardens
6801 East Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762
Saturday, November 21, 2009
1:00 PM

Cemetery

Sunset Memorial Gardens
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762

Memorial Contributions

911 W. Texas
Midland, TX  79701