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Mum diagnosed with cancer in final year of study

13/ 6/2008

BRAVE Emma Kate Greenhalgh–Yates, who battled a brain tumour for seven years, died from her illness on Monday.

Emma, 29, of Adelaide Street, Accrington, became ill while in her final year studying English and creative writing at Lancaster University.

After an unexplained seizure, she underwent a series of tests which confirmed that she had a slow-growing tumour on her brain.

The former St Christopher’s High School pupil received the devastating news in May 2002 around the time she found out she was pregnant with her first child – Dylan Jack, now aged five.

To protect her baby, she put off treatment until he was born. Three surgeries to reduce the tumour, 30 lots of radiation and a series of chemotherapy treatment controlled the tumour until last month, when doctors told Emma and her family there was nothing more they could do.

Her husband Christopher, son Dylan, mum, Kathryn and dad Stephen Greenhalgh were by her side throughout the illness.

Stephen said: "She was a very intelligent, beautiful and brave girl. She managed to complete her degree and get good grades despite having the seizures.

"I only ever saw her cry twice – and one of those times was the day she was diagnosed. I never heard her complain about what was happening to her. She was a very brave girl."

Emma had been in the East Lancashire Hospice since 6 May because she deteriorated very quickly. She died at 5.30am on Monday.

Emma worked as an insurance adviser at Eden Insurance Agents in Whalley for two years and was a member of St Paul’s Church, Barnfield.

She was also an avid supporter of Accrington Stanley. She and her dad regularly attended matches, with Emma wearing her trademark pink coat.

She was also a great music fan and loved The Doors, Linkin Park and Paul Weller.

Her funeral was held yesterday (Thursday) at Accrington Crematorium, conducted by Father David Lyon.

Arrangements: Wolstenholme’s.