Emilie R. (Yurick) Tihansky, 79, of Allen- town, died peacefully Aug. 13, 2014, at Phoebe Nursing Home, Allentown. She was the wife of the late John J. Tihansky for 52 years. Born in West Hazleton, she was the daughter of the late Michael and Victoria Yurick.

She was a graduate of West Hazleton High School and the Traphagen School of Fashion in New York, where she excelled in fashion design and art.

She was an accomplished wedding gown designer and seamstress, including the wedding gowns she made for her daughters. She had many other occupations through- out her life, including waitress, clerk, seamstress, office manager, receptionist and homemaker.

She was a longtime member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Allentown. She was a proud member of the Knights of Lithuania and she also sang in the Sts. Peter and Paul Lithuanian Choir.

Some of her fondest memories included sharing an apartment in New York City with friends, Penn State football tailgating parties and bowl trips, spending the weekend with her family at Lake Wallenpaupack, and entertaining her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren at family picnics.

She is survived by four children, Eva Kook, of Emmaus, Lisa Unruh, of Philadelphia, Elaine Johnson, of Bryn Mawr, and Paul, of Morgantown; seven grandchildren, Priscilla, Irene, Jessica, Stephanie, Megan, Victoria, and Erin; five great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by a son, Brian, of Houston, Texas.

Contributions may be made in her name to St. Thomas More Catholic Church Memorial Fund, 1040 Flexer Ave., Allentown, 18103 or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn., 38105.

Arrangements were made by the J.S. Burkholder Funeral Home, Allentown.