Rash's Surname Index
Notes for Emilie Mae KESSEL
Emilie K. Asplundh, 95, matriarch of a well-known Philadelphia-area family whose love of the arts provided her with an outlet for her creativity as well as a destination for her philanthropy, died of heart failure Monday at her home in Bryn Athyn.
She was the wife of the late Carl H. Asplundh, who with two brothers founded Asplundh Tree Expert Co. in 1928. The Willow Grove firm provides vegetation-management services to utilities and is the largest tree service company in the world.
In addition to tending the social obligations created by the family business with grace and dignity, Mrs. Asplundh raised four children, served for 30 years as a volunteer at Abington Memorial Hospital, and was active in civic organizations, including the Red Cross, the League of Women Voters, and the Green Club.
Outside of her family, her great passion was theater.
She gave of her talent, teaching music in Darby public schools for three years, acting with the Buck Hill Players for 10 years, and directing operettas and musicals at the Academy of the New Church for 15 years.
She gave of her wealth, including in support of her alma mater, West Chester University. She graduated from the school in 1927, when it was known as the West Chester Normal School.
A member of the West Chester University Foundation since 1972, Mrs. Asplundh donated $1 million in 1993 for the renovation of an auditorium on campus. The 1,200-seat facility has been renamed the Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall in her honor and will be dedicated Saturday.
The motivation behind the donation was simple: "I just love West Chester," Mrs. Asplundh said in a 1993 Inquirer interview. "I had the resources."
Mrs. Asplundh is survived by sons Edward, Carl Jr. and Christopher; a daughter, Emily Jane Lemole; lifelong friend Rebecca Walker; 20 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. Mrs. Asplundh's husband of more than 35 years died in 1967.
A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. tomorrow at the Bryn Athyn Cathedral, Huntingdon Pike. Burial is private.
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