Lasting Memories

Emery O. "Mimi" Goity
April 6, 1938-April 25, 2016
Palo Alto, CA

Emery Ottey Goity, known to her family and friends as "Mimi," died on April 25th in Palo Alto at the age of 78.

Mimi is survived by Jean, her loving husband of nearly 56 years, sons Roland and Larry (Trish), daughter Carol Olson (Steve), and four grandchildren: Sam, Rose, Chad, and Mira. In addition, she is survived by her brother David Ottey of Yelm, WA, and was preceded in death by her older brother William Ottey of Walnut Creek, CA.

Mimi was a longtime resident of Woodside and lived in Palo Alto the past four years. She was the daughter of William H. and Marian Ottey of San Francisco, attended Burke’s School and Lowell High School, and graduated from Scripps College in Claremont, CA.

She had many passions, including community service, the outdoors, tennis, gardening, and most of all music. She taught piano for 26 years and devoted much of her life to introducing and teaching music to children.

Mimi was one of the founders of Music for Minors, a nonprofit organization that now provides music education programs for 23,000 elementary school students in the San Francisco Bay Area. For the past 20 years she also volunteered as a music teacher at Redwood City’s Taft Community School.

As an active member and volunteer in such organizations as the Junior League and the Woodside-Atherton Garden Club, Mimi touched many lives. She will be remembered by friends and family for her laughter, warmth, and kindness.