Emily Taylor Garber, 28, passed away on Sunday, February 23rd. She was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania on March 20th 1996. Emily is survived by her husband Grant Garber, sister Chelsey Ott, and parents Tim and Jane Ott.

Emily came into the earth bright, compassionate, and deeply invested in the lives of those around her. Her empathetic nature, infectious spirit, and joyous optimism endeared her to everyone she met. In her free time, Emily loved reading, theater, and traveling, including trips to Disney World and Europe with her family. She graduated summa cum laude from Millersville University with a major in early childhood education and a minor in Spanish and taught elementary school for several years.

Emily met Grant in school, where they became high school sweethearts at ages 15 and 17. They lived a full life together—travels to Montana, Thailand and Italy, vacations in Maine, and a trip to Paris, where Grant proposed to Emily in front of the Eiffel Tower. Despite many health obstacles, theirs was a life-changing kind of love.

In recent years, Grant and Emily enjoyed rides through Strasburg on their homemade cargo bike, outfitted specifically for Emily to explore the outdoors with her oxygen tank. Although they didn't have a dog of their own, there wasn't a dog that met her that didn't sense her sweet spirit and love her. She kept toys at her house for visiting pets and babies. She loved animals and children the way she loved everyone in her life—selflessly and unconditionally.

Emily adored iced chai lattes and chats with her friends. When the weather was nice, she could be found reading a book or spending time with loved ones in her backyard, enjoying the peace and sunshine. She filled the lives of her family and friends with endless support, joy, wisdom and selfless care. Her capacity for kindness was unmatched.

Emily beat Hodgkin's lymphoma with chemo, radiation and a bone marrow transplant. She beat breast cancer and was fighting pulmonary fibrosis, while anxiously awaiting the gift of new lungs. She fought all of these health conditions courageously until the end.

Emily's life was one of faith and love. She leaned into her spiritual questions instead of away from them and made the brave choice of hope daily. There are few lives more sincere or vulnerable in their faith than Emily's. Anyone privileged enough to be a witness to this is forever changed. Though she was small, she was mighty; the gift of her life is a tremendous blessing. The ripple effect is traveling further and touching more deeply than she, or any of us, will ever know.

Sending you off with full breaths to your forever home Emily. You will be carried forever in the hearts of those lucky enough to be loved by you.

Emily's service will be held on Saturday March 1st. The visitation will be held at 1:30pm with a memorial service to follow at 3:30pm at Willow Street Mennonite Church. A live stream option is available at https://www.willowstreetmennonite.com/watch/ . In lieu of flowers please send donations to Compassion International.