On July 25, 2003 at 12:38am Emma flipped and tumbled into this world. On April 7, 2019 she flew high, up and out of it, but left her mark forever on all of our hearts.

She loved gymnastics, the walking handstand, choreographing dances with her sister Lizi, her cats Snowy and Jollie who guarded her lovingly through illness, and every single thing about life and living. Emma was the best at everything she tried, was fiercely competitive, and lived her life fully in a way most people can only hope to do. When cancer tried to drag her down, she soared higher, becoming a ferocious advocate for herself and all children with cancer. In moments that would cause most people to crumble, she grew even stronger, becoming a Sick Kids Ambassador, involving herself with countless charities in support of childhood cancer warriors, and becoming a beacon of hope and strength for all who knew her, and many others who only knew of her.

Emma always said she drew energy and love from the moments, and her 15 years were filled with moments that she cherished. She was loved beyond measure by her parents, Claudia and Emil; adored by her beloved younger sister Lizi; and will be mourned deeply by countless classmates, friends in the gymnastics community, Sick Kids staff members who became extended family members, and many fellow warriors whose lives and hearts she touched.

Emma didn’t want to be remembered as the girl who was sick with cancer and hated the phrase ‘lost their battle’. She wanted to be remembered as the girl who could walk on her hands and do flips despite cancer, and even at her young age, was wise enough to know that winning the battle was about your outlook and what you put into this world, not the outcome.

So to Emma we say this: You never lost. You won. Not just on the gymnastics floor, but against your harsh and unfair fate. Cancer roared, and you roared louder. Loud with laughter, loud with friendship, loud with adventure, and loudest at making sure cancer knew who owned your spirit – you. On April 7that 11:15pm your heart stopped, but your soul beats on in all of us. Your spirit likely did an epic handstand and flip out of your body and right up to the clouds in to Heaven, as only you could. Fly high, flip and tumble, our sweet Emma. You are forever loved.
***** Emma would love if everyone would wear black and gold for the visitation and funeral. Gold ribbons will also be handed out. *****