Our Tribute to Emma Mendez Final

O U R T R I B U T E T O
Emma Mendez

Typical Emma...
Emma joined the housing service at Blackpool many
years ago and I’ve known her all that time. She was
always fun, sensible, hard-working, compassionate and
without fail looked on the bright side. She was no fool
either and could sniff out a tall story!
Emma clearly had challenges, but she never dwelled on
them or expected special treatment and it never
stopped her playing a huge part within our BCH
community. Her attitude embodied BCH at its very
best.
Emma was always willing to help her friends out and I
knew of numerous occasions when she did just that.
She was a good friend. She was a good person.
Like many I suppose I thought she’d breeze through
her second operation in a similar way she appeared to
beat the challenges of her first. I remember visiting
her at home after her first operation. Richard, Debbie
and I had had an interesting journey to see her in
Liverpool and we laughed at Richard’s map reading,
and my fascinating driving skills! Still we got there
with a funny story to tell Emma and in one piece… just!

have worked with Emma for many years and enjoyed
I
minute of it. Emma was a supportive, kind and
every
colleague and also a good friend. We
knowledgeable
many laughs with her wicked sense of humour
shared
was there for me when I needed her and would
She
me good advice in only the way she could and
give
were usually the last ones at the end of a BCH
We
out, either putting the world to rights or showing
night
will be sorely missed by me and her other
Emma
and colleagues within our ‘BCH family’. I will
friends
have so many fond memories of Emma that will
always
treasured.
be
of you all and sending love.
Thinking
Tomlinson
Suzanne
and quick wit.
took no messing from anyone!
our stuff on the dancefloor.

Emma...
Your life was a blessing,
Your memory a treasure.
You are loved beyond words,
And missed beyond measure.
No farewell words were spoken,
No time to say goodbye.
You were gone before we knew it,
No explanation or reason why.
But up there in heaven,
Where life will be bliss,
Rest in peace my friend,
I’ll send you a love and a kiss.
Claire Duxbury

have worked with Emma since 2007 when I joined BCH and got
I
know her properly in 2008 when I moved to the Lettings Team.
to
was an incredible Housing Officer and dealt with
Emma
with compassion and understanding – but she took no
everyone
was an incredible character who gave me some of the best
She
whether in the office, when we completed the CIH course
laughs
more recently worked with Emma whilst we have both been
I
Leaders in the Housing Services Department. Emma is
Team
to be so desperately missed in our management team as
going
is in the whole of BCH.
she
you all my love, thoughts and prayers at this incredibly
Sending
time. sad
messing from any of our more trickier customers!!
together or on nights out where we would dance the night away.
Suzie Lloyd
I am very sad to hear that Beautiful Emma has left us to join the
Angels in Heaven.
The last time I saw you, you let me through the secure door with
your usual Beautiful Smile at Coastal House to attend a meeting.
Nothing was ever too much trouble for you and you were truly
one of the gang when it came to going out socialising on works
nights out at Christmas and after the staff conferences. I am
sure you will be sadly missed by all of your colleagues and
myself. R.I.P. Emma
John Strickland

Emma will be
kept alive in my
memories with a
song...
She was sitting opposite me when I took a call from Jolene from
the Council who wished to speak to Emma.
Whilst I had the lady on the phone (on hold as I was putting
the call through) I burst into song “ Jolene, Jolene, Jolene,
Jolene” by Dolly Parton.
Emma laughed her head off at this and often told me when she
heard the song she would chuckle and think back to that time.
Now whenever I hear this song I will always think of her.
Violet Arnold
“Words can’t take away your tears,
Hugs won’t ease your pain, But hold on to your
memories, forever they’ll remain”
I have had the privilege of working with Emma for the
last 18 years. The sad news of her passing has left her
work family devastated. I am privileged that I am able
to call Emma my friend. Over the years we have
supported each other during bad times and laughed
during good times. Memories that will stay with me
forever. God Bless my darling friend.
Paul Dillon

was an honour and a privilege to
It
known and worked with Emma.
have
she was a true all-rounder and I can’t think
Professionally
a team in BCH she hadn’t worked in or with. I am sure
of
probably fitted a kitchen or bathroom at some time or
she
(or told someone how to do it!!).
another
was very intelligent, quick witted, hardworking,
She
and warm. You definitely knew what her
knowledgeable
was when you were talking to her. I am sure any of
opinion
hundreds of tenants she worked with over the years
the
was a people person and always looked out for her
She
when they needed help and listened when they
colleagues
to talk. She wouldn’t wait to be asked for help -
wanted
would just do it.
she
will remember Emma with great respect and we will try to
I
her memory in ways that are fitting to our
honour
and friend.
colleague
Walker
Andy
would also say she was firm but fair with them.
"Wishing you peace to bring comfort, courage to
face the days ahead and loving memories to forever
hold in your heart"
Emma, rest in peace my friend.
Dionne Nicholson xxx

have known Emma for many years as I first met her
I
working with a different company. Emma has
when
been a really nice pal to converse with about
always
and its many ins and outs, admittedly we mostly
life
about films and interesting books to read and
spoke
often food but she always had time for a natter
quite
last night out with her was a work colleagues 30th
My
and myself, Lauran and Emma were the last
birthday
standing at 3am but what a great night enjoyed
ones
all. by
am not sure what to write to be honest but I will miss
I
as I am sure all her work colleagues will and also
her
who knew her. This is a sad loss indeed and
all
accept my deepest condolences for your
please
loss.
family’s
McMillan
Jim
which is always appreciated.

had known Emma since I started at BCH, 13 years ago,
I
during that time had the pleasure of working within
and
team on several occasions. She was both incredibly
her
to me, both in and out of work. She always
supportive
time to help me with any queries I had and would
had
always know the answers, no matter how
inevitably
– she had such an immense wealth of
random
and experience.
knowledge
also could be formidable – I remember the look she
She
give if it was required! Despite the many
would
challenges she faced, her general positivity
personal
also humbling. She will be sorely missed both on a
was
and professional level. My thoughts go out to
personal
family. her
My memories of Emma are always going to be her
feisty and caring personality, she was such a lovely
person and always had time for anyone.
She was a pleasure to work alongside, always having a smile for
whatever challenge was in front of her. She is a big personality
in our BCH family and is always spoken of with love, fun and
happiness.
For a little person she has touched many people and leaves a big gap.
Emma will be missed by all.
Denise Williams x
Phil Duhig

A little Firecracker!
I have worked with Emma since I started here
in 2004. Instantly I knew she was one in a
million. A beautiful, kind soul but who would
tell you it straight when you needed it and
could sniff out many a porkie pie! I would
refer to her as a little firecracker!
For many years we worked as officers in the
ASB team, until Emma got her well-deserved
move to Team Leader and managed both teams
I worked in.
My friendship with her extended further than
work; she was incredibly supportive
throughout my pregnancy, turning up at my
new house en masse to help me unpack and
ordering me not to lift a thing! She has been
supportive of me for many years and I will be
incredibly grateful for all of her words of
advice and encouragement.

It was this encouragement that led me to
‘caretake’ for her absence during this second
operation and I am so incredibly saddened that
she will not be back with the team.
Her empathy and generosity extended well
beyond her colleagues and friends here, many of
our customers appreciated her kind and honest
words and support during their times of need.
She remains highly regarded by some of these
who still contact us and mention her fondly.
I will always remember many good nights out
and Emma’s infectious laugh and smile and how
I impressed her by rapping to ice ice baby
despite not knowing the words properly – she
called me the female Eminem!
Sending my love to you all –
you meant the world to her.
Hayley Jones xx

I had the pleasure of knowing Emma for 13 years
working together at BCH. She was one of the most of
caring, selfless and kind hearted people I have ever met.
Personally I will miss Emma so much, but I know that she has left a
huge hole at BCH, which will never be filled. I will remember Emma for
her cheeky smile and her dry and witty sense of humour.
I will also remember Emma for her sheer determination and positivity
with the things that life threw at her, she never gave up!
Goodnight Emma and now that you have gained your angel wings, may
you rest in peace.
All my love, Sam Fowler xxx