EMMA REMEMBERED
EMMA HANNIGAN HAD BEEN GUEST AT SLIGO CANCER CHARITY FUNCTION
A Sligo cancer charity has paid a warm tribute to Wicklow writer Emma Hannigan who passed away at the week-end following a long battle with the disease.
SHOUT spokeswoman, Jo Shortt told The Sligo Champion that Emma (45) was “a fighter, brave, honest, positive but vulnerable.”
“Most of all, she was a voice for all cancer sufferers, an ordinary woman with the most extraordinary strength and courage.
“We had the pleasure of sharing some time with Emma when she came to Sligo in December 2014.
“When we first contacted her with a request to join us as our guest of honour at the SHOUT Ladies Lunch, there was no hesitation … ‘Count me in!’ delighted to be asked and excited to come to Sligo.
“She was fighting cancer for the eighth time.
“She shared with us her cancer journey, and I remember clearly her words ‘cancer is no friend of mine… I have cancer but I am not defined by cancer.’
“She spoke of sad times, happy times and indeed the love and support that she had been shown by so many.
‘Live every day, love every day’ as she held 350 of us women in the palm of her hand. We loved her, she was mesmerising.”
“A force of nature and in the week that Storm Emma rocked Ireland, it was strangely fitting that this was the week she was finally taken from us.
“As we think of her now our prayers go to her family, her husband Cian and her two beautiful children Sacha and Kim who we thank for sharing her with all of us and allowed her to be the person she was…. the person who in her final days was raising money for others with the hope that they might be luckier than her… Generous always. She made a difference, and her legacy will live on.
“Rest easy dear Emma, thank you for everything you have done for all cancer sufferers and their families. Love and light. We feel blessed to have known you and shall never forget you.”