Emily Altamura, 96 years of age, passed away at Orchard Point at Terraza in Peoria, Arizona from natural causes on November 7, 2021. Emily, born Amelia Catherine Wandell on November 9, 1924, to Walter and Catherine Wandell in Englewood, New Jersey is survived by her son Robert Frank Altamura (Anne), her grandchildren Matthew Michael Altamura and Stephanie Cathryn Altamura (Rebecca) and her great grandchildren Charles Francis Altamura and Catherine Lee Altamura. Emily was preceded in passing by her husband Michael Victor Altamura, Sr. and their eldest son Michael V. Altamura, Jr. Emily was a registered nurse, teacher, and a devout Lutheran. She graduated from Dumont High School (Dumont, New Jersey) in cohort with her future husband Michael in 1943. She later matriculated from the Hackensack Hospital School of Nursing Class of ’46. During WWII Emily served our country as a Cadet Nurse, stationed at Fort Dix, NJ. Michael and Emily married on September 25, 1948 and had their sons in 1949 and 1951. Over the next few decades, she made her way west along with her family living in Kirksville, MO, Los Angeles, CA, Sunnyvale, CA and finally retired in Phoenix. Emily enjoyed a career as a hospital nurse, English teacher, and psychology student at San Jose State University where she earned a B.S. degree in 1981. Emily will be remembered by her family and friends for her intellect, curiosity, valued perspective, and depth of conversation. Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, December 8, 2021, at 1 o’clock PM at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N Cave Creek Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85024. In lieu of flowers the family requested that donations be made in her memory to National Public Radio. www.npr.org/supportnpr