Imagine what Bremerton would be like if every resident volunteered one hour of time a year to a local cause or effort. That would be, collectively, 39,000 hours a year spent improving our local quality of life. The very thought illustrates the power of the individual to make a difference.
To phrase the question differently, what if each resident followed H. Emily Moshay’s lead?
H. Emily, as she preferred to be called, died on June 14 at the age of 84. In her 25 years living in Bremerton, she devoted herself wholeheartedly to improving her adopted home, and Bremerton is undoubtedly better because of her efforts.
She had the compassion, optimism and know-how that only someone who had been a widowed, single mother could have. She gave her time, energy and personality to Bremerton Foodline, Christmas in April, Main Street Association, and St. Vincent DePaul. She bought clothing and other items at thrift stores and gave them to people who needed them. She served on the Bremerton Planning Commission, Bremerton Community Development Block Grant approval committee, Bremerton Mural Project Committee, the boards of directors of Kitsap Mental Health Foundation and the YWCA, and was a member of the NAACP and the MLK Foundation.
“She wasn’t afraid to roll up her sleeves and do what needed doing,” Mayor Patty Lent told the Patriot. “She was at every ribbon-cutting, every work party, every big event that happened in Bremerton for years and years. This was the city she loved.”
She worked for Head Start, published a monthly newsletter for Kitsap Community Resources, was a marketing representative for the Bremerton Chamber of Commerce and a public relations representative for The Bremerton Patriot. It was at the Patriot that she developed the “Positively Bremerton” campaign.
“She was a fine, caring woman and a beautiful spirit,” Bill Hoke, a friend, told the Patriot. “Bremerton was lucky to have her.”
Indeed. The quality of life in Bremerton is a reflection of the commitment of its residents. H. Emily Moshay taught us that.
