Emma Louise Brandon

Emma Louise Brandon, 90 years of age from Springfield, Illinois, passed away on October 9, 2024 peacefully with her family by her side. A classic Italian mom with a penchant for hospitality and strong-willed personality, she loved people by sharing her unique character traits with others throughout her life.

Born on January 19, 1934 to Italian immigrant parents Luigi and Anna Andreatta in Springfield, IL, she was the 6th of seven children, the youngest of five girls. Most of her siblings had nicknames, like her brothers, Brute and Bunny Boy. Her family nicknamed her "Tootsy" after a door-to-door salesman who asked her, "Hey, Tootsy, are your parents at home?"

Since her parents immigrated to America, they prioritized speaking English at home to enable them to succeed in school. Upon graduation from a catholic girls school Ursuline Academy, she worked at Franklin Life Insurance Co as an underwriter for 40 years. Taking pride in training others at work, Emma cultivated lifelong friends there like Joan Hohl, with whom we spent many Christmases and numerous summer trips.

During the Korean war, her brother, "Brute" introduced her to her future husband, a tall handsome Swede named Ed Brandon. Brute and Ed became friends in the army in Korea and befriended the cook, sneaking out on midnight snack runs together. Brute had a picture of his sister and Ed asked if it was his girlfriend. He exclaimed, "NO! It's my sister!" So, Ed asked if he could write to her. A courtship began and they married July 14, 1956.

Blessed with two girls, Pam and Sandy of whom they were immensely proud, Emma demonstrated her love by buying matching outfits in different colors for them. Although she worked full time, Emma made time to volunteer in Girl Scouts, watch all their soccer games and chaperone away games. Ed and Emma both loved yard work and gardening together, growing tomatoes and zucchini in abundance giving much away to neighbors and family. Emma cooked large pots of spicy spaghetti and meatballs for birthdays and the neighborhood get-togethers. Tootsy's love for cooking and hospitality continued into retirement where she raffled dinner parties, raising money for her church, St Ms. Pam and Sandy remember sneaking chips when she hosted neighborhood bridge parties. Family guests often struggled to not gain weight due to the Italian grandmother trait of offering food frequently during visits.

Emma, who loved children, volunteered during retirement at the Parent Place by caring for toddlers and teaching parenting classes. When her 2 grandsons were born in Idaho, they traveled from Illinois to Idaho every few months to celebrate their birthdays with week-long slumber parties. Taking Erik and Nathan (oh, and the grandkids' parents came along too) to St Louis, Chicago, and Wisconsin Dells waterparks provided happy summertime memories together. Emma often dutifully spoiled them with gifts and goodies so her grandkids were never at a want for toys, clothes, books or treats. She would buy them the Moon, if she could figure out how to mail it to them. During one particularly abundant stream of packages, our mailman queried, "Is she moving out here - through the mail?"

In retirement, Emma was a nanny for some families - supporting them by being a surrogate grandmother going to their sports and school events. Halloween was a perfect time to sit on the porch in the rain or snow, passing out candy and compliments to each princess, pirate, or policeman.

As dog-lovers, they owned several pets through the years as well as caring for her "grand-dog and neighbors' pets on vacation. Caring for family members was a value she embodied by calling daily or bringing food to the grieving, elderly family members and friends. Emma called her sister-in-law, Betty, and niece, MaryLouise, daily to check on them. Betty and Emma would watch "Dancing With the Stars" while being on the phone so they could comment on the dancers' attire or dance numbers.

 Emma was strong-willed with a "take charge" personality which was beneficial in doing finances, running a household, or caring for her aging parents. However, that quality caused those close to her to learn to set clear boundaries at times. When the time came, after numerous falls and other diminishing health concerns, and it was clear to everyone, except her, that she should no longer live alone, she came to live with us in Idaho.

Since she was fiercely independent, she was initially resistant and incredulous about the move. But as her health improved, she grew to appreciate us as her new roommates and grew to love Idaho as much as we do. In her last few years with us, she derived great joy in going out to the mall, local playgrounds or people watching at the canyon rim, cheerfully greeting children and dogs, and a weekly highlight was going to church and eating afterwards at Denny's with our Breakfast Club.

In her final weeks she had an almost childlike glee about her. She always had a huge smile on her face as we drove her around in the car, remarking on the blue sky, puffy clouds or any other myriad of weather or scenery related observations - quite the Midwestern trait.

Emma lived life looking to love others and showing her concern for them in her own unique ways. She passed on several of those traits to her daughters and her grandsons. Thank you, Emma, for loving us to the best of your abilities!

Emma is survived by her daughters, Pam Brandon of Springfield, Illinois, and Sandy (Ken) Nordquist of Jerome, Idaho; grandsons, Erik (Zoe) Nordquist of Baltimore, Maryland; and Nathan (Cierra Stump) Nordquist of Jerome, Idaho; sister-in-law, Pat Andreatta of Fairfield Glade, TN; Fred (Kim) Herrr of Springfield, IL; Albert (Carol) Andreatta of Guthrie, OK; Andy Andreatta of Gold Canyon, AZ; Jimmy and Charlotte Fortner of Springfield, IL; Michael (Bobbi) Andreatta of Centerville, OH; Cathy (John) Lau of Westchester, OH; Brenda(Chip) Wehmer of Loveland, OH; and Jerry (Jenny) Ippolito of Taylorville, IL.

Special thanks and gratitude to all of the kind caregivers at Grace Memory Care and Heritage Home Health & Hospice who provided such amazing care and companionship to Emma right up to the end, treating her as though she were their own grandmother.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am, Monday, November 25, 2024 at Twin Falls Reformed Church, 1631 Grandview Dr. N., Twin Falls, Idaho, in the old sanctuary with a reception to follow in the adjoining Fellowship Hall. The service will be livestreamed on Farnsworth Mortuary Facebook page.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mary and Martha Food Pantry in Jerome, Mustard Seed in Twin Falls, St. Aloysius Church in Springfield, IL. or Samaritan's Purse.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on Emma’s memorial webpage at www.farnsworthmortuary.com.