Emily Stuart Legacy Fund Emily’s commitment to the community has been deep and lasting.  In recognition of her lifetime of service, we invite you to join each of us in endowing the Emily Stuart Legacy Fund. This Fund will provide a resource for the YMCA at Virginia Tech to further its mission through programs and services that strengthen the foundations of communities throughout the New River Valley by: · nurturing the potential of youth and teens; · improving the health and well-being of individuals and families; and, · fostering a sense of social responsibility. Thank you for preserving Emily’s spirit and legacy at the Y, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.

Emily will always be with us.

Emily Cottingham Stuart passed away early on June 14.  We are grateful for all she has done and for the lasting memories she has left the YMCA and the NRV.  Emily had an impact like very few people do. 

Emily believed that one person could make a difference and start a movement.  When she & Bob moved to Blacksburg in 1970, Emily was approached about being the Y's executive director.  This was a time of great change for the Y and instead of rejecting the offer as being too burdensome, she took it on with gusto and began recruiting volunteers to help her rebuild an organization that had a rich history.  She believed in volunteerism.  She believed in social justice.  She believed in cultivating young leaders.  In short, she believed in the mission of the Y and was going to make sure that the Y thrived.

Emily's vision for the Y led her to create the Y Thrift Shop, launch the Y Crafts Fair, and create the Open University to support the Y's volunteerism and leadership development programs.  The student volunteer and outreach programs grew and thrived.  But Emily would be the first person to tell you that she didn't do any of this alone and it couldn't have happened without the enthusiasm, drive, knowledge, and generosity of the Y's staff, volunteers, and donors.  Emily had a talent for bringing out the best in those around her.

Emily continues to be with us through the programs and the community she created here at the YMCA at Virginia Tech.  

Thank you Emily.  You will always be with us, and we are so fortunate to have known you.

A memorial service for Emily will be held at Blacksburg Presbyterian Church on Saturday, July 9th.  A copy of the program will be posted shortly.

Emily, ever the practical one, requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the YMCA at Virginia Tech or that a garden be planted in her memory.   Donations to the Y can be mail to YMCA at Virginia Tech, 1000 North Main Street, Blacksburg, VA  24060, or you can use the button below to donate online. For those of you wishing to start a new garden, please visit the Y Garden page.  We hope you will find useful information on planting and maintaining your own garden.