Emily Willbanks

Emily Willbanks, 76, resident of Los Alamos since 1954 passed away on Sunday, February 18, 2007. She was born in Fort Lauderdale, FL on November 25, 1930 (Emily West). She graduated Duke University 1952 with a BS Degree in Physics and Math and earned a MS Degree in Physics from University of New Mexico in 1957. She was a Scientist at Los Alamos from 1954-1990. She married Eugene M. Willbanks October 3, 1959, Eugene died February 11, 1994. Emily, an outdoors woman, loved hiking, scuba diving, downhill and cross country skiing, and tennis. In her later years she excelled at golf and in 2006 won her senior flight in the New Mexico state championships. Most of all, Emily, was a world traveller who in the last 25 years touched down on every continent. She safarried in Africa, scuba dived along the great barrier reef, played golf in Ireland, helli skied in north America. She lived life to its fullest. Survived by her New Mexico adopted family of Nick Hunsaker her traveling companion, confidant and dear close friend. Pamela and Anthony Garcia with their son Michael, who shared many holidays and special family events with Emily. Kurt Edelbrock and his children Kyle and Rayne who thought of Emily as a grandmother to their family. Emily is also survived by her three step children Tom Willbanks of Lake Stevens, Washington, Linda Roberts of Plantersville, Tx., and Kathy Minyard of Farmington, NM and their families. Emily will be missed by all those who were close to her but we will be consoled by the fact that she has now joined Gene and are walking the beaches of heaven together. There will be a memorial gathering and open house at Emily's home Sunday March 4, 2007 from 1 – 3:30 PM.