Heath, Emma
January 12, 2011Many people throughout Wexford were deeply saddened this week to learn of the death of Emma Heath (29), following a full life 'where every activity was filled with passion, honesty and courage'.
Emma (nee Grannell) of Barry Road in Northampton passed away peacefully on Saturday at her parents' home in Cromwellsfort Avenue, surrounded by her loving family.
She is survived by her husband Alastair, her parents Denny and Anne Grannell, her twin sister Lucy and her brothers David and Peter, also twins.
Emma was reared in The Faythe area of town and attended St John of God National School, apart from one year at Scoil Mhuire, Coolcotts.
In tribute to their sister, Lucy, David & Peter recalled yesterday at her funeral how 'growing up as two sets of twins we had the privilege of always having someone to play with and the many fond memories they have of days out and holidays together.
Emma attended the Loreto Secondary School, though her family this week fondly recalled that she spent more time asking to leave class for sporting-related endeavours than she did attending them!
From a young age Emma's natural talent for sports was obvious. The very start of her love affair with all things sporting saw her more than hold her own with the young boys from St Joseph's GAA Club on the football field and she went on to excel not only in football, but camogie, hockey and following her move to England- cricket.
Emma excelled at hockey in The Loreto and was subsequently selected to play on the Leinster Schools team. She was also a hugely talented football and camogie player and a key member of the Shelmaliers football team and St Ibar's camogie teams while still in secondary school. She won an All-Ireland football title with the Shelmaliers in 1996.
While in the Loreto, Emma would also help out PE teacher Key Gahan when she was training some of the younger teams. The Wexford girl then decided to leave for Northampton University to study sports science and geography after completing her Leaving Cert in 1999.
Her other great love was music and Emma played with the HFC band in Wexford as a teenager. Her family said that although Emma might not have been the most gifted of musician, she more than made up for it with her typical determination, effort and cheek!
Emma continued her sporting endeavours in Northampton, where she played hockey and later cricket. As usual, she found herself a natural when it came to the new sport and within a year was packed to play for the Northamptonshire county cricket team, which was a great honour.
She was also named Batsperson of the Year at her club, Towcester, though many found her batting style unorthodox as her swing wasn't that far removed from the one she displayed during her outings with the St Ibar's camogie club!
Her twin sister and her brothers recalled yesterday how 'each activity of Emma's life was filled with passion, honesty and courage' and how they now look back at her many achievements with great pride and fondness.
One of Emma's greatest sporting successes was an unexpected one and came during a mixed hockey match as it was how she met her husband-to-be, Alastair Heath.
Mourners at Emma's Requiem Mass heard how 'sharing the same passions for sport and life, their love grew, ultimately to their marriage'.
The happy couple were married at Bride Street Church on August 31, 2009.
'Although most of their married life was spent dealing with Emma's condition they loved and cared for each other as they always had; Emma's siblings said.
Poignantly, Emma's twin sister is due to be married herself in the coming weeks. Emma took great pleasure in the fact that she was able to play a large a part in the preparations for Lucy and Liam's wedding.
Emma and Alastair had only bought their first home last summer and loved their life in Northhampton together, where she made many great friends both during and after university.
Though she acquired a degree in sports science and geography, Emma ended her working in I.T. and specialised in project management, which afforded her many opportunities to visit foreign countries and she enjoyed trips to some amazing places. Among her most treasured memories was getting to spend time up close and personal with the Silver Back Gorillas in Rwanda.
One of her last jobs was one of her most fulfilling as he spent time in Africa setting up the computer systems to allow for the efficient transfer of aid medicines throughout impoverished countries.
It was a job close to her heart as Emma and Alastair had also spent time volunteering in Africa, when they brought computers to a school in Kenya and showed the teachers how to use them.
Emma always retained strong contact with her friends and family in Wexford, particularly through her twin sister.
Emma also returned home to visit family regularly and was delighted when they could come over to see her.
Emma passed away following a long battle with cancer. She had not been ill prior to being diagnosed with a severe form of cancer on December 15, 2009.
She bore her illness with great dignity, courage and good humour throughout the subsequent year, before her sad passing last weekend. Her family said her 'independence and resilience shone through to the end'.
Her family would like to express their thanks to all the nurses and medical staff at Northampton and Wexford General Hospitals who provided such excellent care for Emma during the past year.
Her requiem Mass was celebrated yesterday (Tuesday) at Bride Street Church at 12 noon. She was laid to rest in St Ibar's Cemetery, Crosstown.
Emma will be sadly by her loving husband Alastair, her parents Denny and Anne, her twin sister Lucy, her brothers David and Peter, her sister-in-law Alma, her nephew Charlie, whom she doted on, Lucy's fiancé Liam, her extended family and many friends in Wexford and Northampton.
May she rest in peace.
Courtesy of the Wexford People
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