A Family’s Eulogy by Jo Sinclair
When I think of Emily I smile and don’t believe I’m alone. I met Emily back in 2011 when I moved over from Australia. She had returned from New Zealand with Mike, Jamie and Katie. At the time I didn’t realise that she would become not only my sister in law, but a good friend as well. It was easy to immediately feel like Em was a dear friend. She was warm, welcoming and inclusive. One of our last messages to each other was an acknowledgement of how lucky we were to not only be family, but friends as well.
Emily was born on the 13th of May 1972 to Ines and Joe who are both here today. She was welcomed by her sister Caroline and brother Philip. Her family grew with Caroline and Tony giving birth to Jess, and Philip and Gail to Hannah and Sarah, and finally, together with Mike, along came Jamie and Katie. All describe Emily as a loving daughter, sister and Auntie and mum!
When she was 4, and Philip 7 her family moved to Hong Kong for 5 years. Her mum tells the story of her walking back from school with both Emily and Philip. They lived on the Peak, which is known for it’s hilly geography. Emily was running ahead of Philip and Ines, and in an instant she disappeared. Not being sure what had happened, Philip and Ines ran to find where she had gone. To their surprise, and her annoyance she had fallen into a manhole. Apparently she was not amused at all when they both burst out laughing. Aside from her pride, she was unhurt.
As a child Emily started ballet, where she was quite accomplished. At one point she considered a career in the Royal Ballet. As most have seen, Emily was a very good flautist. Having started on the recorder at 10, it was a natural progression for her to the flute. Emily loved playing the flute, and enjoyed performing for family and friends and with her Church musical groups also..
She felt a sense of belonging together with Philip when they went to the Welsh Harp as teenagers and spent hours kayaking and sailing. They both did their proficiency camp together at Symonds Yat, which Emily developed a lifelong connection to.
A talent and passion for craft started early, and a theme that you will hear today is how much joy Emily got out of making things for those she loved. Philip and I have so many things lovingly handcrafted by Emily, and will treasure these always. Even whilst being so unwell, Emily was able somehow to continue to make treasured possessions. Philip’s birthday was in August, and with shaking hands Emily knitted him a bookmark. Sadly the gift did not arrive in Dubai until after her death, with a promise of another present for Christmas once her steroid induced shaking had reduced.
Caroline was 12 when Emily was born. They shared a very special relationship from the beginning. Initially Caroline would babysit both Emily and Philip and then when Jess was born, Emily would babysit her. Over the past couple of years, Caroline has had both Jamie and Katie for a week over the summer holidays. Caroline recalls the time that she and Tony went to visit Emily and Mike a few weeks after Katie was born. On arrival, Emily, Jamie and Katie were at the airport, nattering to Caroline’s chauffer. Having organised for mike to fetch them from the hotel a little later, they headed off to their hotel, whilst Emily dropped Jamie off to nursery. Arriving in their room a short time later, they were surprised that Emily had visited the hotel ahead of their arrival and left a plate of biscuits decorated by her and Jamie in the shape of a C and T for Caroline and Tony.
Selfless is a word that doesn’t do justice to Emily. Through her suffering she continued to care for others. Last year Philip had his own battle with cancer, and thankfully is clear at this time. Emily’s support and constant reassurance was amazing. She never thought to put herself first or see her illness as more serious. A month ago Emily sat facetiming with Caroline helping through a difficult crochet project at midnight.
An unfinished story exists and that is the love story of Steve and Emily. Soul mates and best friends, their journey was sadly cut short. The last week when Emily was in ICU, Steve and Emily’s families came together to support Emily and each other. It is my hope that the shared love for Emily and the strong bond created through the pain of losing her will bind us together in the long term.
Jamie and Katie, we will together ensure that you know your mum through stories and memories that will keep her memory alive.
Like footprints in the sand, Emily has left an enduring legacy in her children. We are all better for having had her in our lives and will miss her and feel the giant hole her passing has left in our hearts.
