Emma Paige Tovey
Emma Paige Tovey
2002 ~ 2024
Emma Paige Tovey, our dear daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin, and friend, was born on July 5, 2002 in Walnut Creek, California to Cameron and Allison Tovey. She passed away on September 23, 2024 after a month-long battle with a very rare cancer in her heart, called Intimal Sarcoma, surrounded by her many family members and loved ones.
Emma grew up in Cedar Hills, Utah and attended both Lone Peak and American Fork high schools. She was involved in theater in both high school and in the community. She performed in several productions at the Hale Theatre in Orem, in the community theater in North Utah County, the Scera Theater in Orem, and at American Fork High School. Some of her favorite roles included playing Zazu in The Lion King, Ursula in The Little Mermaid, Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray, a nun in The Sound of Music, and Olaf in Frozen. She also loved being in the children’s choir in a production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and in the choir for A Christmas Carol. She was always her happiest when she was involved in a production and loved making life-long friendships in whatever show she was in. She played the piano and loved to sing and taught several kids voice lessons.
She studied psychology at Southern Utah University and enjoyed her time in Cedar City. She was planning on attending Utah State University and was preparing to audition for the Music Therapy program offered there.
Emma was selfless and kind-hearted and always wanted to help other people. From the age of 16 she started work at numerous assisted living and end-of-life care centers making friends and caring for all of the residents she served. This past summer Emma worked at a wilderness camp for youth as a guidance counselor and helped at-risk youth feel safe and accepted. She was always concerned about those around her and went above and beyond to connect and empower them.
Emma’s favorite things included musicals, alien invasion movies, Arianna Grande, cucumber sandwiches, and well-timed swear words.
Although Emma’s life was cut short, her impact on those who knew her will be long lasting. She always looked for the good in people, fought for those she felt were minimized or ignored, and generally loved all those around her without judgment. She was quick-witted, sassy, and sometimes offered cutting remarks that were never not-hilarious. Her absence leaves a giant hole amongst her family and friends and she will be dearly missed.
We are especially grateful to all the medical professionals who cared for Emma during the last month of her life at both the Huntsman Cancer Institute and the University of Utah Hospital Cardiac Unit.
Emma is survived by her parents, Cameron and Allison; by her siblings, Erica, Chase, and Leah; by her fiancé Nicholas Lay, and by family members and friends who all loved her dearly.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, please consider a donation to the Huntsman Cancer Institute.
https://give.huntsmancancer.org/page/71762/donate/1
Funeral services for Emma will be held on Monday, September 30, 2024 at 11:00 am in the Cedar Hills 13th Ward Chapel, located at 3950 West Cedar Hills Drive, Cedar Hills, Utah 84062. Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Sunday evening from 6:00-8:00 pm at the Warenski Funeral Home, 1776 North 900 East, American Fork, Utah, and also at an additional viewing on Monday morning from 9:30-10:30 am prior to services at the church. A graveside service will be held immediately following the funeral at the Orem City Cemetery.