Obituary of Emma Jean Glausi

Emma Jean Nesbit Glausi, world traveler, died peacefully from complications of ALS, Sunday January 11, 2015. She was surrounded by her husband and 5 children. Family, Faith, Music and Travel were the cornerstones of her life. She was born in Portland Oregon and lived most of her life in Oregon. During her entire life she was an essential part of her families dynamics, as a wonderful, thoughtful daughter and sister, a loving supportive wife and a kind, generous, and patient mother. She is survived by a sister, Catherine Nesbit of Chang Mai, Thailand. Two brothers, Bill Nesbit of San Diego, CA and Jim Nesbit of Springfield, OR. Her husband Otto of 52 years. Her five children, Wallace Glausi (Carma) of Portland, OR. Joseph Glausi (Lisa) Eugene, OR. Marianne Glausi Brigham (Leigh) Eugene, OR. Cynthia Glausi Wise (Robert) Portland, OR. and Benjamin Glausi of Eugene, OR. She is fondly known as Nanny to her 15 grandchildren. Her daughter Elizabeth preceded her in death in 1991. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Brigham Young University in 1960. She taught English and Reading in California for two years then moved back to Portland where she taught in the Park Rose School District for another two years. Her most cherished occupation was that of being a “stay at home” mom. She was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She lived her faith through years of service as a teacher, counselor, and in auxiliary leadership positions in her church. She was both a giver and receiver of the power and richness that comes from a life immersed in Music and the Arts. She began playing the violin at the age of eight. In addition to touring the world as a performer, she played for a combined 42 years in the Stanford, San Jose and Eugene Symphony Orchestras, retiring from the latter in 2011. She was also an accomplished pianist and organist. She was a passionate devotee of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, having attended plays in Ashland for 61 straight years. She served on several fund-raising boards for the OSF, was a long-time member of the Southampton Society, and personally introduced more than a thousand people to the magic of Shakespeare and the outdoor theatre experience in Ashland. Jean was actively involved in her community. She served on numerous charitable and artistic boards and committees during the 44 years she and her husband lived in Eugene. Some of them include The Relief Nursery, Assistance League, Sacred Heart Medical Center Foundation, Symphony Guild, Eugene Ballet, Eugene Opera, Eugene Public Library, Festival of Trees and Eugene Festival of Musical Theater. A large portion of her 77 years was spent traveling. She visited 119 countries, and with a twinkle in her eye, knowing it would make for a good story, ate as much of the local fish, flesh, flora, fauna, and fowl as her system would keep down. From following in Shackleton’s footsteps in Antarctica, to camping at the headwaters of the Amazon, to gazing at the stars while riding a gondola on a warm night in Venice, she drank deeply from the cup of all cultures, and made friends in every corner of the globe. And although she left on this last trip without packing, she took with her exactly what she leaves behind: The love of her family and friends, the memories of a life well-lived, and the knowledge of a certain reunion in the world to come. The memorial service will be held on January 19th at 1:00 PM at LDS Church, 1155 President Street, Eugene, Oregon. Arrangements entrusted to Musgrove Family Mortuary. Please access the obituary and you are invited to sign the guestbook at musgroves.com.