Obituary of Elizabeth O'Grady Emery

Elizabeth O’Grady Emery, 50, of Herndon, VA passed away peacefully at Georgetown University Hospital on May 22, 2023 after a 10-year battle with metastatic breast cancer.

Elizabeth is preceded in death by her father, Dr. Vincent J. O’Grady and her birth mother, Mrs. Carol (Camp) O’Grady. She is survived by her three beautiful children Declan, Madelyn, and Kaitlin Emery. Elizabeth is also survived by her mother, Kathleen, her siblings, Vincent O’Grady, Judith O’Grady (Christopher Kabatt), Matthew O’Grady (Jennifer), Maureen Manley (Peter), Meghan Macomber (Blake), and Michael O’Grady, and 11 adoring nieces and nephews. 

Elizabeth grew up in Phoenixville, PA where she graduated from Phoenixville Area High School in 1990.  She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Gettysburg College while also playing college basketball and her Master’s in Physical Therapy from Widener University. Elizabeth later moved to Herndon, VA where she enjoyed working as a physical therapist, spending the last 13 years of her career at Georgetown University Medical Center. However, Elizabeth’s most treasured job was being a mother to her three children, of whom she was proud beyond measure. She fought incredibly hard to give her children the past and the future they deserve. Elizabeth was an avid reader with a quick and witty sense of humor, which will be sorely missed. Throughout her illness, Elizabeth was the image of courage and strength. She continued to be a generous and devoted daughter, mother, aunt, and friend, even in the face of adversity.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Elizabeth’s life at a memorial Mass on Saturday, May 27, 2023 at 11:00 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Herndon, VA.  Though the family understands you share in their grief, please consider filling the church with light by wearing something with a pop of color per Elizabeth’s request.  A memorial fund has been set up that will support the college education of Elizabeth’s three children (College Tuition Fund for Liz Emery's Children | Mightycause).

A special thank you to: Elizabeth’s dear friends The Bayers, Bonickys, and Morrows for their endless support; Elizabeth’s dedicated medical team, for whom she specifically expressed great appreciation prior to her passing; and also to Elizabeth’s colleagues at Georgetown with whom she loved working professionally and who continued to make her laugh until the end.

Through her grace and unwavering strength, Liz showed us daily how to love fiercely. We will carry this lesson with us and live by her example. She will be greatly missed. 

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace.