Emily R. Kistler

Emily Ruth Kistler, 79, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at Atria Park of Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Emily was born on November 6, 1946, to Winnie Florence Kistler (Greulich) and Dr. William Stephen Kistler in Allentown, PA. She grew up in Zionsville, PA, graduated from Emmaus High School in 1964, and from Sarah Lawrence College in 1968, where Modern Dance was her area of concentration.

After graduation, Emily lived in New York City, performed as a modern dancer, and worked as a trainer in the studio of Pilates pioneer Carola Trier. In 1972 she lived in Paris, France, employed by IBM. Upon her return to New York City, she received her nursing degree (RN) from Cornell Medical School.

In 1983 Emily began a 31-year career as an operating-room nurse at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. There, she initiated and coordinated the hospital's participation in the donation of usable but otherwise discarded medical supplies and received recognition for her commitment to the donation of blood and platelets (every two weeks). She participated in 23 volunteer surgical missions in Central and South America with Medical Missions for Children for cleft palate repairs, and volunteered for a 2-month tour of duty in Thailand caring for refugees.

The birth of Emily's son, William Julian Kistler, in 1989, marked the beginning of two decades of further adventures, including worldwide bike and hiking trips.

Dating back to her graduation from Sarah Lawrence in 1968, she joined dear friends Laura Pawel and Pamela Finney as original members of the Laura Pawel Dance Company. Her last performance in 2018 marked the 50th anniversary of the group where she was greatly valued and much loved for her intelligent and beautiful dancing, her antic humor, and spirited imagination.

Emily is predeceased by her father William, mother Winnie, and sister Alice L. Kistler.

She is survived by one son William "Jay" (Delia), three sisters - Kathryn A. Powers, Dr. Priscilla J. Kistler, & Dr. Sarah E. Kistler (Steve), one brother William S. "Steve" Kistler (Julie), close friend and co-parent Susan K. Rowe (Wendy), three nephews - Alexander (Katherine), Peter (Catherine), and Hiram (Jessica), along with many other much loved family members and friends.

Funeral and burial service will be held at St Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Pennsburg, PA on Saturday, January 31, 2026 - 81 Main St, Pennsburg, PA 18073. Open visitation starting at 10:00am and service at 11:30am, with burial & luncheon to follow.

Memorial donations dedicated to 'Emily Kistler' may please be made to the Eastern Pennsylvania Wildlands Conservancy via wildlandspa.org or trees in honor of 'Emily Kistler' may be planted by the Arbor Day Foundation via arborday.org/treesinmemory.