Emily L. Bristol of Rocky Hill, Connecticut, passed away in East Hartford, Connecticut, on April 17 with grace and dignity. She was the loving wife of Craig Warren Bristol, with whom she shared 59 years of joyful marriage.

Emily was born in Akron, Ohio, on June 9, 1931, the daughter of Louise and F. Wallace Dixon, and resided in Bethesda, Maryland, during her formative years. She graduated from National Cathedral School in Washington DC in the class of 1951 and proceeded to Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, majoring in aviation. She secured her private pilot’s license and had a head start towards her commercial pilot permit.

Emily then joined the staff of Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) as a world flight planner. She was offered employment by the Piper Aircraft Corporation to demonstrate and deliver aircraft, but decided to continue on at AOPA. She was joined in marriage to Craig on September 17, 1955 at St. Albans Church in Washington DC.

During later years she utilized her administrative talents at Comstock, Ferre and Company in Wethersfield, Connecticut, and the Vision Corner Optical Corporation in Hartford, Connecticut. While residing in New London and Wilmot, New Hampshire, she worked at Spring Ledge Farm and was Assistant Manager at King Ridge Ski Area.

Emily’s nature was to love, and that is what she did. Her dedication to raising six beautiful daughters and the love extended to their numerous friends was endless. She thoroughly enjoyed the camaraderie of multiple friendships formed during her lifetime.

Music and dancing were favorite activities – particularly her love of the piano. Emily was a feisty lady who fought through multiple difficulties with a constant positive attitude, overcoming obstacles with charm and style.

Emily is survived by her husband of 59 years, Craig Warren Bristol. Her daughter, Deborah Coe Bristol, predeceased her in 1978 while a senior at Yale University.

Emily is survived by five daughters: Lynn B. George of Andover, Karen B. Losik of Bradford, Sharon B. Morse of Warner, Heather L. Bristol of Lewiston, Maine, and Tracy B. Hiebert of Bethel, Maine, and all of their loving husbands. Emily had 14 amazing grandchildren: Jacob, J. Andrew, Cory, Nicholas, Maxwell, Michael, Ryan, Benjamin, Rachel, Alexa, Jessica, Jamie, Brooke, and Kira; a great-granddaughter Novalynn, and many delightful nieces and nephews.

She is also survived by a brother, Frederick S. Dixon, and his wife Cynthia of Bethesda, Maryland, and sisters Patricia Boycan and husband Gary of Dumfries Virginia, and Susan Humphrey of Acworth Georgia.

A memorial celebration of Mrs. Bristol’s life will be held in New Hampshire during the summer. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Emily’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association, Connecticut Chapter, Attention: Jennifer Labrie, 200 Executive Blvd, Southington CT 06489.