Emily Wasn't Supposed To Live Past 2. She Proved Everyone Wrong.

WAYNE, NJ — Emily Mulraney never wanted others to worry about her.

Mulraney was born with a congenital heart defect. She was not expected to live past 2. Mulraney was in and out of hospitals over the years, her family said. When she was sick, she would say "Don't worry, I'll be fine. I always am."

Mulraney proved everyone wrong. She lived until she was 21.

Then she died Saturday.

Mulraney, a Wayne Valley High School alumnus, was determined to graduate from college. She was attending Bergen Community College and wanted to be a child life specialist to help children who are in similar situations as she was.

"She was funny, sarcastic, helpful, sweet, and kind," Mulraney's family said in her obituary. "She loved her family, was a great friend, told the best jokes, and would do anything she could to help others."

Others agreed.

"We are all better for knowing Emily, what a great heart she had for others," Patty Criscenzo said on Mulraney's obituary page.

Mulraney was "socially aware beyond her years" and "politically astute," her family said. "She beamed with pride the first time she was able to vote."

Mulraney also enjoyed cooking and was artistically gifted and enjoyed doing voice-overs for online cartoons. She had many costumes, loved ComicCon, and always wore her Harry Potter hat. She performed on stage at Christmas shows at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ridgewood, "dancing to her own drum."

She was treasured by her mother, Liz, and was a shining angel to her grandparents, Thomas and Janette.

She is survived by her aunt and uncle, Thomas and Meghan; siblings, Jack, Dallas, and Caden Kaminski; and extended family and friends, including Cody McLaughlin.

Visitation with the family will be Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Vandermay Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne. A funeral service will be at 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center - Pediatric ICU, 703 Main St., Paterson, N.J. 07503.

Email daniel.hubbard@patch.com

Photo: Emily Mulraney (Courtesy of Vandermay Funeral Home)