Emily V. Zander
Emily Louise Villars Zander, 95, passed away at home with her family on August 8, 2018. She will be deeply missed. She was predeceased by her parents, Col. Horace Sumner Villars and Alice Winchell Stacy Villars, and brother Horace Villars (Patti). She is survived by her daughters Louise Zander and Jacqueline Zander-Wall (Kent), and granddaughter Annelise Wall. Other survivors include five nieces and nephews, and all the extended family.
Many special friends alluded to Emily as their "Mom." Her beautiful home was always open for all to come and enjoy. She leaves behind her treasured Alpha Phi and Wave friends, wonderful neighbors, bridge groups, and the warm community at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. Special thanks to the Women in the Military and the Veterans Administration for their great service to her.
Emily was born at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington DC, delivered by the future Surgeon General, Raymond Bliss. She grew up where her father was Chief Surgeon in Army Hospitals in San Francisco, Panama, Fort Huachuca, Columbus, Ohio and El Paso. During WWII In 1943, she joined the Navy. She taught swimming to Waves at Hunter College and was stationed in Treasure Island and Pearl Harbor. She graduated on the GI Bill from Northwestern University with a double degree in English and Interior Design.
She married Henry George Zander III in 1948, in Kenilworth, Illinois. After a divorce in 1961, she relocated to Albuquerque where her late grandfather the Reverend Ulysses Sumner Villars had retired as a circuit rider opening Methodist churches across the country.
In Albuquerque, Emily had a 51 year career as a member of the American Society of Interior Designers, working at American Furniture, Eckert’s and on her own. She maintained special friendships with her colleagues and clients throughout her lifetime. She was a wonderful and dedicated mother raising two daughters on her own, (as well as many furry friends.)
She was especially proud to be the first women Foreman on the Grand Jury in the State of New Mexico and she was a volunteer transcriber for APD.
A Memorial Service and Celebration of her life will be held at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 431 Richmond Place NE on August 23 at 10 a.m.. Interment in the National Cemetery in Santa Fe will be Friday, August 31 at 2:15 p.m. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church towards the creation of Cecil’s Garden. To leave condolences visit www.ABQJournal.com