Marion Emily Bennett Heard began the next chapter of her eternal life Sept. 9, 2024.

After contending with myeloid leukemia for 15 months, Emily spent her last days with family and friends at her side, telling stories, laughing, crying, and witnessing a surprise preview of her daughter and son-in-law's wedding to come next month. The love surrounding Emily was palpable across her life, through her illness, and especially in her final days, with more than a dozen family and friends sharing their stories and their hearts with her.

Emily was born Sept. 21, 1975, to Paul and Mary Ellen Bennett in Springfield, MO. Inheriting the gift of music from both sides of the family, Emily brought her faith and her vocal talent together from an early age in the Schweitzer Methodist Church children's choir. In church services, school events, and family gatherings, Emily shared her beautiful second soprano in ensembles and as a soloist. Eventually, she served as worship leader and children's choir director at Schweitzer before she and her family moved to Blue Springs, MO, in 2015.

Emily graduated from Parkview High School in 1993 and attended Missouri State University. She was blessed to marry Greg Heard in 1998, beginning more than a quarter century of mutual respect, admiration, and joy. Emily was a rock for Greg amid blessings and challenges, and they built a family whose rootedness and mutual support reflect both Emily's deeply caring nature and her commitment to doing the right thing. Rearing their children Audrey, Tristin, and Dominic, Emily modeled a way of love that put others first and, at the same time, expected as much from them as she herself was willing to give.

Emily excelled at meeting everyone else's needs, practically and emotionally. Her care for others was equally evident in her perfect turkey and gravy (an unwritten recipe handed down at least five generations) and in her insistence that everyone in her hospital room have a comfortable place to sit.

Family and tradition held a strong place in Emily's heart. She passed down holiday practices from both sides of the family and created her own, including pumpkin carving with the kids at Halloween. Emily's tapioca pudding, green-bean casserole, and deviled eggs were legendary at family gatherings. Through all these traditions, Emily's passion, and greatest joy, was bringing her family together.

Although wired as a caregiver, Emily wasn't shy about living her own life to the fullest. She thrived on travel, having visited Mexico, Belize, and the Bahamas; and she especially treasured her trips to Europe. A self-described adrenaline junkie, Emily's completed bucket-list items included skydiving and riding as many roller coasters as possible. "Fire in the Hole" at Silver Dollar City was a favorite from childhood, and her family will continue to ride it with her whenever they go.

Emily was a customer-service supervisor at Price Chopper in Blue Springs, where she built strong friendships with coworkers and customers, who were frequent visitors during her hospital stays. Her work friends called her Mighty Mouse because of her energy as she ran from one end of the store to the other. She and her friends were as likely to trade stories and recipes as trade shifts.

Emily's giving heart and abundant sense of humor will be treasured by all whose lives she touched. Survivors include her husband, Greg; daughter, Audrey (Tucker Drake); sons Tristin and Dominic; father, Paul Bennett; mother, Mary Ellen Hartford (Hershel); mother-in-law, Pam French; sisters Rhiannon Strick (Eric), Jasmine Cloud (Nick), and Grace Hoel (Chris); brothers Stephen Bennett and James Fry; and many extended-family members.

On Saturday, Sept. 21, a visitation will take place at 1:30 p.m., followed by a celebration of life at 3 p.m., both at Schweitzer Church, 2747 E. Sunshine St. in Springfield, MO. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Schweitzer Church choirs.