On Dec. 9, 2015, the world lost a beautiful soul when beloved daughter, sister, niece, and friend, Emelie Katherine Durfee, died unexpectedly at her home. She was 27.

Emelie grew up on Bainbridge Island, graduating from Bainbridge High School in 2006.

Emelie was devoted to her family and her brothers Christopher and Michael held her heart. She had a passion for life and an adventurous spirit. Emelie loved spending time with her friends cheering on the Seahawks, off-roading in her Subaru, snowboarding and dirt biking. She really loved dogs and was looking forward to the day when she could have her next four-legged friend. At family gatherings, she brought Olympic-level competitiveness to card games or badminton or whatever game her cousins could talk her into playing with them.

Emelie was kind and funny and beautiful in every way people should be beautiful.

Emelie leaves behind her cherished mother Jean Hey and Jean’s husband Alan Kleppe, her loving father Mark Durfee and her beloved brothers Christopher and Michael Durfee and Alan’s children Ryan and Tessa Kleppe.

Emelie’s extended family includes her Uncle Bud Hey and his son Alex; Uncle Ken Hey (Jennifer) and their children Madeline Emerson and Mark Hey; Uncle James Hey (Michele) and their children Joseph and Rachel; Aunt Bobbi Leahy (Niall Leahy – deceased 1997) and their daughter Shannon; Aunt Jackie Hey Williams (Clarence) and their children Jordan, Lauren and Anna; Aunt Marlene Peters (Mark) and their children James and Breanna; Aunt Madeline Durfee, Uncle Allan Wells (Joanne) and their children Jeff, Dan and David; Aunt Anne Reynoldson and her children Laura, Karl and Craig. Grandmother Sivia Kleppe, Uncle Wayne Kleppe (Sandi), their son Christopher Johnston, Aunt Sharon Grgich (Dan) their son Nick, and daughter Kaia Kordic (Nikola), Uncle Kurt Kleppe (Wendy) and their children, Karl and Nathan, Uncle Jack Kleppe and his daughter Hannah. Many more cousins, great aunts and uncles mourn her passing from the East Coast.

Our hearts are broken but we will cherish every moment of the life she lived and we will speak of her with joy.

We love you always.

Rest gently Em.

A Celebration of Life was held Saturday, Dec. 19 at Grace Church on Bainbridge Island.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her honor may be made to the ASPCA or the charity of your choice.

Sign the online guest book for the family at www.cookfamilyfuneralhome.com.