Farewell to the girl with the winning smile (From Evesham Journal)

Farewell to the girl with the winning smile

5:50pm Sunday 14th October 2012 in News By Steve Mather

A VILLAGE joined together as one to celebrate the life of a popular teenager who died following a long-term illness.

St Barbaras Church in Ashton-under-Hill, near Evesham, was packed with the family and friends of Emily Mayo last Tuesday as they remembered the bubbly 19-year-old who was known for her winning smile.

Flashes of pink, Emily’s favourite colour, could be seen among those paying their respects as the village came out to show their love for the former Prince Henry’s High School student who struggled with illness for several years.

Emily’s boyfriend Luke Cullen and her friend Matt Ross both spoke during the funeral sharing their most treasured memories of their time together, and balloons were released as she was buried.

Speaking after the funeral, friend Stacy Bromfield said: “It was heartbreaking but beautiful. Luke did a lovely reading and Matt shared some funny memories. Pretty much the whole village came out.”

Emily never let her problems with illness get in the way of her having a good time and her friends honoured her fun-loving personality by wearing ‘onesies’ to her wake held at the Star pub in Ashton.

“The Star was packed and everywhere you went you could hear people sharing their memories of Emily. “There was also a book of condolence for people to write messages for the family to read. Her mum did an amazing job with the planning,” added Miss Bromfield.

Emily’s mother Nessa Mayo thanked everyone who came to say farewell to “her beautiful girl” as well as the funeral directors, those who raised money for flowers and a headstone and everyone at the Star.

Money was raised for the lymphoedema clinic at Pershore Hospital where Emily was treated.

Her mother said: “Thanks to Emily’s nurses Judy, Ann and Eileen as well as Debbie the secretary. They are amazing people and the service needs support.”

 A match between Ashton FC and Fairfield was played as the Emily Mayo memorial match on Sunday, October 7.