A partner who discovered his « stunning » teacher girlfriend dead in bed said life will never be the same since losing her. Jack Weston said losing Emily Rose Browning had been « heartbreaking » and described the last three months without her as « worst » of his life.
Jack found young Emily unresponsive at their Pontcanna home in December. The pair had moved there so Emily could start her career in teaching. He said: « I never thought I’d be going through something like this. My life was completely mapped out with Em – we were talking about getting engaged within the next year or so and she was definitely the one. So to have it completely turned on its head has been incredibly tough. »
The grief-stricken boyfriend said the pair had been inseparable since May 2018 after meeting at Cardiff University’s student union. Emily’s parents said their « fit and healthy » daughter had suffered a cardiac arrest in her sleep.
Jack, 27, said when he first met Emily there was « something a bit different » about her. He quickly fell in love with her carefree attitude and said she had a distinctive personaily and loved to live life to the max. « She was obviously absolutely stunning, » he addded.
Jack told The Mirror: « She had what her dad calls the ‘Ems effect’, which was just that lasting impression on everyone she met, always putting a smile on people’s faces. She wasn’t not the centre of attention, but you always knew she was there and that was just something that I miss so dearly. »
Emily moved from Somerset to Cardiff to study criminology while boyfriend Jack moved to pursue a medical degree. Recalling their early days, he told Wales Online: « It took us about six months of kind of seeing each other for her to kind of finally give in. I asked her out several times, to which she said no initially, and then she finally said yes and we got together on May 16 [2018]. »
The couple moved in together in 2023 after Emily graduated with a First in her criminology degree and a Master’s in psychology. Shortly after, Emily trained up to become a teacher. Jack said: « She was always so great with kids but when she started her PGCE, she just fell in love with the job and we worked so hard together to try and get her a permanent job.
« She originally started as a supply teacher because she wanted to work in a few different schools and sort of get an idea of what year she wanted to work with. After that first year, we were trying to get her a permanent position, and I think she had about 10 or 12 interviews as the competition is so tough at the moment.
« I remember I’d spend hours with her, practising interview questions and trying to get the job and when she finally found out that she got this job as a permanent member of staff at Gladstone Primary, I cannot tell you how proud I was.
« She was so chuffed that she was gonna have her own classroom and make it her own. She had so many ideas for displays and what she was going to do with it – and it’s still exactly like that to this day. I went to see the headteacher Paula a few months ago, and the classroom was exactly how Emily made it with all the stuff that she put into it. »
The 27-year-old said he was certain Emily left a lasting impact on her pupils and was told they still ask if she will return one day. He said: « Gladstone Primary School is opposite a graveyard and [the head teacher] said she often sees some of the kids looking out the window and saying ‘Miss Browning’s over there’, which broke my heart a little bit. »
Now Jack, along with Emily’s family, including sister Katie, mum Jackie and dad Rob, are hoping to raise funds to create a memorial garden at the school in Emily’s honour. A mere 10 days after launching the GoFundMe fundraiser, over £17,000 was raised.
He and 30 others are participating in challenges to raise money. Jack is set to compete in an Olympic triathalon, half marathon and a 280km bike ride later this year. The initial target was £5,000, but the additional funds will ensure the garden can be maintained for years to come.
The garden will feature a fruit and vegetable patch, seating areas, learning spaces and sensory elements to make it accessible for all. Jack said setting up the fundraiser had been invaluable in his coping process. He said: « I feel quite proud of what we’ve set up. It’s something that we can all do together and sort of keep her memory alive. »
Reflecting on their loss, Robin, Jackie, and Katie described Emily as « a fit and healthy 24-year-old who enjoyed life to the full ». They said: « In December she suffered a cardiac arrest in her sleep and was suddenly and tragically taken from us. We are very grateful to Jack for setting up this foundation in her name and are extremely overwhelmed with all the donations and touched by the everyone’s response. »
In homage to the late teacher, Gladstone Primary School expressed their fond memories: « Emily was a beloved teacher at Gladstone Primary School and her kindness, passion, and dedication left a lasting impact on every child, colleague, and parent who had the privilege of knowing her.
« To honour her memory and through the generous fundraising efforts of Emily’s friends and family, we aim to create a memorial garden. Capturing Emily’s values of nurturing curiosity, creativity, and well-being in every learner, children will be able to enjoy a space for reflection, joy, and growth, where they can learn through outdoor experiences, and find peace and inspiration. »
Source link
