Joyce A. Joy Emery

Joyce "Joy" A. Emery, 81, of West Kingston, Professor Emeritus at the University of Rhode Island, passed away Friday, September 7th. She was the beloved wife of the late Jerry R. Emery. Born in Akron, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late Dwight and Anna (Wilkinson) Goodman. Mrs. Emery was a Professor of Theatre and Costume Design at the University of Rhode Island and became curator of the Commercial Pattern Archive at URI upon retirement. She was a distinguished member of several organizations, including: the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) and the Costume Society of America (CSA). She was past-president of CSA, a former vice president and Costume Commissioner for USITT anda Fellow of CSA, USITT and the New England Theatre Conference. Professor Emery authored "Stage Costume Techniques" and "A History of the Paper Pattern Industry". She was the recipient of the Distinguished Achievement Award in Costume & Technology from USITT in 2016. She is survived by her son, Christopher R. Spanabel and his wife Sara Kaplow of West Kingston; her granddaughter, Maya Rose Spanabel of West Kingston; and her brother, Dwight "Hap" Goodman of North Canton, Ohio. A celebration of her life will be held on Wednesday, September 12 at 11 am at the Avery-Storti Funeral Home, 88 Columbia Street, Wakefield. Visiting hours will be Tuesday 4-7 pm. Joys wish was for her friends and family to not be sad and somber on this occasion, but to wear bright colors and bring happy memories to share. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Joy Spanabel Emery Endowment Fund, c/o Rhode Island Foundation, One Union Station, Providence, RI 02903.