Community bids heartbreaking farewell to beloved Emma

An air of devastation gripped the local community with the untimely death of Emma Flynn Grimes, late of Foxwood and Ashley Court, who died following a short illness at the Oak Ward at University Hospital Waterford, on Monday, November 11.

A native of Ashley Court in Waterford City, Emma, who was the daughter of Sharon and Richie, was the much loved mother of Caleb and Isaac, and the partner of 14 years to Rob Grimes, where they resided at Foxwood.

Surrounded by a “sea of love”, Emma lost her short battle with illness that has left a deep void in the hearts of so many people that knew her for her kindness, care, and generosity.

Described as a lovely “young mother, daughter, partner, and friend”, her funeral Mass was celebrated by Monsignor Pat Fitzgerald at St. Paul’s Church, Lisduggan, where her love of music, make-up, fluffy socks, a bottle of wine and glass were symbols brought to the altar.

Much loved and respected by those that crossed her path, Emma was fondly remembered at her funeral Mass.

Fr. Fitzgerald told the funeral congregation: “I don’t think anything can prepare you for a day like this or for a time like this. It is so difficult to get heads and hearts around a reality like this, the quiet, sudden death, through a devastating illness of a woman so young and beautiful as Emma.”

Born and raised in Ashley Court, Emma went to Mercy primary and secondary school, before attending Waterford Institute of Technology.

In her teenage years, she enjoyed a career as a model, gracing the catwalk in Paris and Milan.

It was during a fortuitous encounter on the dancefloor at Harvey’s, that she would meet Rob Grimes. The two subsequently enjoyed 14 loving years together.

The couple shared a memorable stint of almost two years in Perth, before their son Caleb was born in 2013, followed by Isaac in 2016.

The family found their home in Montrose, Foxwood in 2017.

Emma worked from home with Apple and Shopify, and she was known to have a tremendous work ethic, excelling at her job. She enjoyed concerts, and welcomed any opportunity to dance.

“Her smile could light up a room and light up a life,” Fr. Fitzgerald said.

Her partner, Rob, offered a touching eulogy during the funeral mass, thanking all the staff at the Oak Ward at UHW for the amazing level of care and respect they showed to Emma.

“We’ve been known to frequent the dance floor,” Rob said, “Many a wedding was rescued by myself and Emma, and our willingness to get up and make a show of ourselves to some cheesy music. But we had fun, and that’s all that mattered.”

Emma enjoyed the simple things in life, Rob said, a good concert, a night in or a night out with friends, a takeaway, a good podcast or any sort of drag show.

“What she enjoyed most, however, was her boys, mammy’s boys, and they adored her just as much,” Rob said. “She’d move heaven and earth for them, just to see them happy. During her short and difficult illness, she fought tooth and nail for them and only them.”

Rob concluded: “Now that her fight has come to an end, and Emma has left us peacefully with grace and dignity, she knows her boys are in good hands. We were teammates when it came to raising them both, and I know she’ll continue guiding me in all the right directions when I’m a little unsure.

“They’re also in the hands of both of our families, our amazing friends and our circles who rallied around us and came from near and far.”

Her remains were carried from the church to the Spice Girls song Goodbye my Friend.

Music was by Sarah Jane Lavery and Mark Robinson. Emma is survived by her beloved partner Robert, sons Caleb and Isaac, brother Jamie, mother Sharon and her partner Liam, father Richie, his partner Rose, grandmother Frances, mother-in-law Annette, father-in-law Terry, brother-in-law Damien, sister-in-law Kelly, nephews, nieces, extended family, relatives, neighbours and her many friends. May she rest in peace.