Emilie Brownlie Galvin died peacefully on May 23, 2021 surrounded by the love of her extended family at the age of 96. Emile was born December 21, 1924 in Corbin, Kentucky to Smith Asher Brownlie, Sr and Annabelle (Johnson) Brownlie. She graduated from the University of Louisville.

Inspired by Amelia Earhart, Emilie earned her pilot's license in her teens. She was thwarted in her desire to serve as one of the Fly Girls of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) because she was too short – she missed the height requirement by two inches. That same sense of adventure showed up in her annual science camp excursions to Catalina Island with her fourth-grade classes where she snorkeled with her students and helped instill a love of science and the natural world in them.

Following college, Emilie took her chemistry background to her work as an experimental blender with Seagram's. At a company party, she met Edward A. Galvin. He knew immediately she was the one for him. They married within six months and raised a family of six children. When her husband was recalled by the Air Force in 1951 Emilie thought it was a chance to see the world. To her consternation, the Air Force never stationed the family outside the continental US.  After being based in California, New Mexico, and Florida, they moved to Vandenberg AFB in June of 1964.

In her mid-forties Emilie earned her teaching credential and began working for Lompoc Unified School District as an elementary school teacher first at La Honda and later at Buena Vista. She went on to complete a Master of Arts degree focusing on teaching mathematics. She always enjoyed seeing her former students over the years and most recently she took delight in noting that her new dentist was a former fourth grade student of hers.

Her first opportunity to travel outside the USA was in 1983 with a trip to England, Ireland and Scotland. That ignited a love of international travel. She enjoyed two summer trips to Spain with teacher colleagues for language emersion in Salamanca and Madrid. Following her retirement in 1991 Emilie proceeded to fill up her passport. She enjoyed Elder Hostel tours and trips with relatives and friends. She walked the Great Wall in China, parasailed in Mexico, kayaked in Hawaii, took river cruises on the Seine, Danube and Rhone rivers. She loved Paris and Barcelona visiting them multiple times. She celebrated her 91 ^st birthday in Florence, Italy.

She was a dedicated member of Prelado de los Tesoros de La Purísima, serving as docent at La Purisima Mission State Historic Park. She participated in the living history events to educate school groups and the public about life at the Mission. She particularly enjoyed bringing to life the craft of weaving for the students.

She took great satisfaction in her volunteer work with the Vandenberg Village Public Library. Along with a number of volunteers she helped launch library services for homebound members of the community making the library accessible to them. Many of her "regular's" became friends as they shared a love of reading.

Her passion for theater and the arts led her to serve as a volunteer usher for Pacific Conservatory Theater in Santa Maria and Solvang. She saw scores of plays over the 25+ years of service she provided for them. She also brought her daughters and granddaughters into the fold and ignited a passion for performing arts within them.

Widowed early with children ages 6 to 20, Emilie showed a calm courage to her family as a single working mother. She had tremendous curiosity, valued education, and was truly a life-long learner. She also supported her children and grandchildren in their education pursuits, encouraging their curiosity about the world.

Those lucky enough to have Emilie in their lives found a compassionate, supportive, wise and loyal mother, sibling, daughter, colleague and friend. Her graceful unconditional love made those around her want to be kinder, more loving human beings, almost like alchemy. It translated into a conviction that grace was possible, even probable. This earned her the loving nickname "Mary Poppins" from her colleagues at Buena Vista Elementary.

She is survived by her children Edward A. Galvin, Jr. (Rosa), David S. Galvin, Michael J. Galvin (Barbara), Sarah E. Galvin (Judith M. Goodwin), Mary Anne Zenisek (Thomas), and Patricia J. Silva (John), her grandchildren Emilie Katherine Bickmore, Amanda Berrier (Jerry), Thomas A. Zenisek (Monica) and great grand children Alice Bickmore, Sophia Bickmore, William Sebastian "Vash" Bickmore, Alexandria "Lexi" Berrier, Jacqueline "Jackie" Berrier, and Elizabeth Hope "Ellie" Zenisek, her brother Richard Brownlie (Judy) and many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

We have arranged for a Mass at Queen of Angels in Mission Hills on Saturday, August 14 ^th @ 10 am

And a Celebration of Life on Saturday, August 14 ^th from 1 pm to 4pm at the Lompoc Veterans' Memorial Building 100 E Locust Ave, Lompoc, CA 93436.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Prelado de Los Tesoros de La Purísima, the Friends of the Public Library System or Library Foundation, for support of the Vandenberg Village Branch of the public library system, or a scholarship fund of your choice.