Emma Louise Benedict

Emma Louise (Brandt) Benedict age 92, a Novi resident, was called home by her Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday August 19, 2023. She was born June 7th, 1931 to Walther I. and Elsie O. (Torgerson) Brandt. She was predeceased by her sister Lois E. Drews, and brother Nels and is survived by her daughter Christine, sons Robert (Christene) and Thomas (and the late Donna), and her loving grandchildren Matthew, Nathaniel and Caleb. Emma was proud of her long lineage of Norwegian and upper Midwest Lutheran pastors. Born in Madison, WI, Emma grew up in Brooklyn NY. She earned her undergraduate degree in 1953 from Luther College in Decorah Iowa where she sang with the Luther College choir, later earning a Master of Library Science from Columbia University in 1955. She was a German, History, and English instructor at Marion College in Virginia before moving to the Montclair NJ Public Library. She and her (then) husband Robert Benedict settled in Morristown NJ where Christine and Robert were born, later moving to Ridgefield CT where Thomas joined the family. Emma rejoined the work force as a teacher, librarian and media specialist at East Ridge Junior High School in Ridgefield where she worked until her retirement in 1995. During her years teaching at ERJHS, she emphasized to her students the importance of strong research, critical thinking and was among the early advocates for the use of computers in education. She co-authored with Darla Shaw the book “Building the Reading Habit”. After retirement Emma remained active in her community working at the Ridgefield Public Library, volunteering as Chair of the Commission on Aging as well as serving for multiple years on accessibility committees driving implementation of ADA guidelines in the town. Emma later moved to Novi, MI where she continued her ADA advocacy in her new Fox Run home community. In addition to leading small group discussions on inter-faith education, Emma led an effort to establish “The Link”, a covered and climate-controlled connection between the independent and assisted living facilities at that campus to allow families and friends to better maintain contact. Emma’s sense of adventure and exploration earned her a reputation as a world traveler through her many domestic trips to US National Parks, as well as her many international cruise and tourist adventures to Europe, Africa, and the Mediterranean and Caribbean seas. She rode a helicopter to the top of a glacier, floated in a hot air balloon over the African savanna, and fulfilled a lifelong dream on her 80th birthday by watching the 4th of July New York City fireworks from a ship in the New York harbor. Emma is fondly remembered as a loving mother and grandmother, tireless advocate for the disabled, and a fun-loving leader of new adventures and world travel. Her infectious laugh, kindness toward others, endless determination against adversity, and her steadfast faith in Jesus Christ her Lord and Savior are her legacies to her children, grandchildren, and the family and friends she leaves behind. Visitation will be 11 am – 12 pm Saturday, at Hope Lutheran Church 39200 W. 12 Mile Rd. Farmington Hills, MI with the service at 12 pm. Interment will be in Lower McFarland Cemetery in McFarland, WI. In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate a memorial contribution to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation at www.komen.org.

Emma Louise Benedict

June 7, 1931 - August 19, 2023