Last farewell to ‘brave, bubbly, beautiful’ cancer victim, 26
THERE was an emotional last farewell for a young woman whose heartbreaking story had travelled around the world.
The sun was shining on Ystrad Mynach as RAF colleagues formed a guard of honour for Emily Kendrick, who died at the age of 26 after battling terminal cancer.
Emily’s colleagues and friends from RAF Brize Norton lined the path to the church, many in tears as she passed.
Her coffin, draped in a Union Flag and with her RAF hat laid on top, was carried by colleagues.
Her devastated family walked behind.
As they exited the church, two RAF Hercules planes flew low overhead.
Emily, from Ystrad Mynach, was 23 when she found a lump in her navel and surgery revealed it was ovarian cancer.
She had treatment at the University Hospital of Wales and Cardiff ’s Velindre Cancer Centre, involving six months of chemotherapy.
She was able to return to her role in the RAF, but in July 2016 a routine scan revealed two areas of concern.
She was told, at 24, she would need a hysterectomy. And when she was taken back to theatre surgeons discovered her cancer had not only returned, but was inoperable.
Since her death, her family have been told SAC Emily Kendrick (Logs caterer/AGS) has been awarded a medal for her service in Afghanistan.
During the service, RAF Padre Stephen Lamond told the congregation that Emily had always wanted to work on aeroplanes after seeing her first aeroplane at the age of three, and fulfilled her dream by joining the RAF. He said: “Emily was brave. She was feisty and a fighter, bubbly and beautiful. We will miss her”.
Her family have asked for any donations in Emily’s memory to be made to St Davids Hospice Care or via www.memorygiving.com/emilykendrick