1978 was a pivotal, and tragic, year for Emily Filer.
Her daughter, Lee, died at age 16 from Hodgkin’s disease, a
cancer of the lymphatic system.
That moment ignited a passion in Emily that would lead her
to a life of service to her community.
Before Lee died in the summer of that year, she and nine of
her friends began Lee’s Friends, an organization dedicated to offering
emotional and practical support to cancer patients and their families facing
the fear and uncertainty of diagnosis and treatment.
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| Emily with some of the most important things in her life: her children (Lee and Monty), her three grandchildren and her toy poodle, Mango. |
Thanks to Emily’s drive and determination, Lee’s Friends
grew and became recognized throughout Virginia and the nation as an outstanding
non-profit. In 1982, Emily traveled to the White House, as Lee’s Friends was
one of 16 agencies chosen from 2,300 nominations to receive the President’s
Volunteer Action Award.
“Lee inspired the program, and it’s our job to carry it
out,” Emily says. “It’s a living memorial to her. We work with all ages and
stages of cancer and have been able to help thousands of people. We started
with no volunteers and no money, but thanks to the cause and the dedication of
our friends, we have won national recognition.”
After 23 years of service, Emily retired from Lee’s Friends
in 2001; but her dedication to the region has never stopped.
She was a member of the board of trustees at Virginia
Wesleyan College for 20 years; member, past president and now honorary member
of the Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach; vice chair of the Mayor’s
Commission on Aging in Virginia Beach, just to name a few of her
accomplishments.
In 2010, she received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane
Letters (L.H.D.) from Providence Bible College and Theological Seminary for her
volunteerism.
Her dedication to others has continued at Westminster-Canterbury. During her eight years on the WC Board of Trustees, she learned a
great deal about the community and knew she wanted to make it her home.
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| Emily holding her most recent award, the Hampton Roads VOLUNTEER Achievement Award for Outstanding Community Service, which she received in 2014. |
“When I retired from Lee’s Friends, I went back to school
and became an associate chaplain for Sentara, working in five different
hospitals,” Emily says. “I loved it, and I continue my work here as a pastoral
caregiver and chaplain in the Hoy Center.”
Emily has a shadow at Westminster-Canterbury - her toy poodle Mango! When you see Emily, Mango is usually not far behind. “She’s eight pounds and a complete character,” Emily boasts. “Everyone,
from staff to residents, has fallen in love with her.”
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| Emily and Mango out for a walk at Westminster-Canterbury. |
Emily can’t imagine calling anywhere other than
Westminster-Canterbury home.
“When I was part of the Virginia Beach Commission on Aging,
I saw every potential community in Virginia Beach and Norfolk, and I actually
lived in both cities for long periods,” Emily says. “But, once I visited
Westminster, there was no question. I’m able to do everything I love and
explore new interests too. I love playing Sjoelbak – I’d never heard of it and
now it’s one of my favorite pastimes!”
