Emily Marie Reiss, lifetime Connecticut resident, passed away peacefully on Oct. 28 surrounded by her family at Connecticut Hospice in Branford. She was 97 years old. Emily was born in Detroit, Michigan, the second daughter of Frieda Schmidt and Neils Borgen.

She grew up in New Haven, graduated from Hillhouse High School, and was employed at A.C. Gilbert. Through friends, she met the love of her life, the late John Christian Reiss, with whom she shared 60 years of marriage. She was also employed by Sperry and Barnes and later retired from the Yale University accounting department.

Emily leaves behind two daughters, Carolyn Reiss of Clinton and Linda (Harry) Hurley of Northford; two grandchildren, Jonathan Hurley and Heather (Matthew) Mahon; three adopted grandchildren, Kevin Hurley, Patricia Barletta, and Kathleen Riordan; and five great-grandchildren. Emily is also survived by niece Judith (Robert) Shaw, nephew Thomas Dziubinski, cousin Marion (Edward) Delouise, and several cousins.

Emily was a wonderful woman, beloved by all. She was kind, generous, helpful, and always full of fun and laughter. She enjoyed her pets, loved to travel, and was a frequent winner at cards, board games, and bingo. Her family will sorely miss her lively company, great cooking, and all-encompassing love.

The family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 31 at the Clancy-Palumbo Funeral Home (Clancy Funeral Home), 43 Kirkham Ave., East Haven. The funeral service will be held on Nov. 1 at 10:30 a.m. in the Clancy-Palumbo Funeral Home, East Haven, with burial to follow at East Lawn Cemetery. Donations may be made to Our Companions Animal Rescue, PO Box 956, Manchester, CT 06045, or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), PO Box 96929, Washington, DC 20090-6929, in memory of Emily Reiss. For an online obituary, please visit www.Clancy-PalumboFuneralHome.com.