Emily D. Morris (also known as Meña) , 86, went to be with the Lord from her home in Waterford Works with her loving family by her side, 10 years to the date of her adored husband of 51 years, Robert J. Morris' passing . She was also predeceased by her two dear brothers, John M. Diaz (known as Juanito), and Hymer Perez (widow – Linda). Emily is survived by her brother, Domingo (Dawna) Diaz, Jr., and sister, Holly (Marc) Orgiefsky, as well as her children Bonnie (Jim) Smith, Karen (Shawn) Henry, John Morris, and Dan (Deanna) Morris. Her unique and cherished presence will also be missed by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, along with extended family and friends, and special family friend, David Cornog, all of whom she embraced throughout her life.

Emily was born to the late Juan Perez and Maria Asuncion Estevez (affectionately known as Nana Susie) in Mejias, Oriente de Cuba and grew up on her grandparents' farm, surrounded by a multitude of aunts, uncles, and cousins. As teenagers, she, Juanito, and Hymer immigrated to New Jersey when their mother married Domingo Diaz, Sr. then of Hammonton.

After Emily graduated from Merchantville High School, she took business classes to hone her secretarial skills, which included learning shorthand. Those exceptional skills would earn her a job as an executive secretary at the New York City offices of RCA.

A few years later, mutual friends arranged a blind date which introduced her to her future husband, Bob Morris. As the story goes, he was immediately smitten upon meeting this Latin beauty. For Emily, the initial attraction didn't occur as quickly as that, but his persistence and devotion eventually won her over. They married in 1962 and raised four children, making their home first in Pennsauken and then
later in Cherry Hill.

In her later years, she worked as an administrative assistant/translator for the Maple Shade School District Child Study Team, from which she retired a number of years later.

Emily enjoyed many hobbies, including baking, sewing, painting, and playing a multitude of games such as cards, Chinese Checkers, Dominoes and Scrabble, which she played with intensity and a masterful skill. She also enjoyed traveling with her husband Bob to various places like Alaska and other US states, and when travel restrictions to Cuba were partially lifted, she went back to her birth country and
discovered, much to her surprise, that her paternal father Juan had sired 20 additional children during his lifetime. She was delighted to introduce herself to as many of her siblings as she could while she was there and subsequently kept in touch with a few of them via email and by letters.

Throughout the years, Emily, like her mother, Nana Susie, welcomed all into her home, family and friends alike. Her and Bob's home was always a place of refuge for those who were in need of a loving and supportive environment. With so many going in and out of the house at any given time, it was often referred to (jokingly, of course) as "Grand Central Station." Any number of holidays and other celebrations were made all the more memorable when they were held there as well, rooms filled with good food and drink and the sound of adult voices and children raised in a blended joyful cacophony.

Emily's deep and abiding faith sustained her throughout her life. She loved reading her Bible and attending Sunday services at her local church until her illness made it more difficult for her to get around in recent years; even then, her faith in God and her Savior Jesus Christ never once waivered. She was a beacon of love and devotion for all who encountered her, and we will all miss her gentle ways and wry
humor in our lives so very much. We hope that we will continue to honor her gracious and loving legacy in our own lives.

Relatives and friends are invited to her viewing and services on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, from 7:00pm to 9:00pm at Alloway Funeral Home, 315 Maple Avenue, Merchantville, NJ. A memorial service will be held at 8:00pm.
All are also invited Friday, January 26, 2024 at 12:00pm to her interment, which will be held at Harleigh Cemetery's Garden of Honor, located at 1640 Haddon Avenue, Camden, NJ, where she will join her beloved Bob in eternal repose.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Emily's memory to the charity/organization of your choice
or to https://www.lls.org (The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society)