Emily Ann De La Cruz (Foss)

life story

Daughter. Sister. Aunt. Niece. Best Friend. Forever Missed.

Emily Ann de la Cruz (Foss) passed away peacefully at her home in Los Angeles, California on November 20, 2025, after a short but valiant battle with cancer. Emily lived with a one-of-a-kind combination of intelligence, grit, curiosity, and unapologetic individuality that made her unforgettable.

Emily De La Cruz (Foss) April 14, 1987 – November 20, 2025. Daughter. Sister. Aunt. Niece. Best Friend. Forever Missed.

Emily Ann de la Cruz (Foss) passed away peacefully at her home in Los Angeles, California on November 20, 2025, after a short but valiant battle with cancer. Emily lived with a one-of-a-kind combination of intelligence, grit, curiosity, and unapologetic individuality that made her unforgettable.

Emily was preceded in death by her grandparents Robert and Barbara Himmelberger of Phoenix Arizona, Willard and Marlene Foss of Mankato, Minnesota and Thomas Foss of Lake Crystal, Minnesota (Uncle). She is survived by her parents, Michael Foss of Chandler, Arizona and Barbara Crawford of Mesa, Arizona; Patty Foss of Mesa, Arizona (Aunt); John Himmelburger (Uncle) and Steve Himmelburger (Uncle) of Phoenix; Jeff Foss of Lake Crystal, Minnesota (Uncle); three sisters Sara Mendoza of Gilbert; Felisha Matthews of Gilbert, and Hanna Crawford of Gilbert, and six nephews; best friends Lindsay Kirsh, Monica Torres, Darci Bernard, Ian Longstreet, Mike Dorsey and Kristin Whitford, her beloved dog Ted Jones, and countless friends throughout her short life.

She was a true academic, earning her undergraduate degree in Government and Psychology from Georgetown University, and later her Juris Doctor (JD) at Seattle University School of Law in 2013. Emily attended High School in Mesa Arizona. Emily was a gifted writer, public speaker, and was endlessly creative.

By profession, she was an accomplished attorney widely respected for her expertise in mortuary law and insurance defense litigation. Outside of the office, Emily was a mentor and advocate within the legal community, serving as former Chair of the WSBA’s Washington Young Lawyers Committee (WYLC), General Counsel for the Washington State Funeral Directors Association, legal commentator, and columnist.

Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Forest Lawn Memorial Parks and Mortuaries, Hollywood Hills.