Emilee O'Neill Ward

June 2, 1978 - Dec. 10, 2023

It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of my sister, Emilee O’Neill Ward passed on December 10, 2023 with me by her side. Emilee Louise Hersey (m)O’Neill (m) Ward was born to Richard Hersey and Sally Herman(m)Saylor (m)Hersey (m) Cutter on June 2, 1978 in Portland, Oregon. Growing up blonde hair and blue eyed, she easily stole hearts as a child and her favorite playmate was her older sister by 4 years, Macy Saylor(m)Bishop. Emilee loved to dance and while attending Wilson HIgh School even competed with their team. Emilee was lucky to live across the street from her best friend, Amber Rouse, meeting each other when they were only 7 years old and their friendship remained. Emilee graduated Wilson High School and went on to take on the world! While doing this she met Shawn O’neill whom she married in August of 1997(D.2022). During this time she spent several years in the banking industry and then eventually inherited her father’s, Richard, position in the Longshoreman Union in Portland. During her time in the Longshoring Emilee, met Tom Ward and they married in February of 2022 residing in Lake Oswego, Oregon. Emilee loved being a wife, an aunt, a sister, a friend, rafting, football, cooking, and especially her fur babies. Preceding Emilee in death was her mother Sally Cutter, step-father Everett Cutter, her father Richard Hersey, and grandparents on both sides. She is survived by her husband, Tom Ward, his children Rachel and Ryan; her Sister Macy Bishop(Saylor) m.Preston; and their children Max and Vivienne Bishop; Step Brother Dann Cutter, m. Camie, and their daughter, Casey; Cousin Laura Silverman; and her Uncles on her mom’s side. A standard “service” is not being planned. In its place, a beautiful Earth soil transformation has been completed and the family plans to do a private planting. Earth uses this transformation also to plant 5 trees in Oregon in her memory to help with forest restoration. Additionally, remaining soil is placed in the Olympic Peninsula conservation site, where it’s used for land restoration projects including reforestation, erosion control and restoring soil health. If you wish to learn more, It can be found on this Earth site: https://earthfuneral.com/our-service/