Emma Gann

Emma's story

Emma Charlotte Gann was born on 17th February 1973 in Hillingdon Hospital. She was the eldest of Joy and Nigel’s three children. While she was still very young, the family moved to Leicestershire, and her two sisters Liv and Alex were born. Emma later gained a stepmother Cathy and her youngest sister Ellie. From an early age, Emma loved animals. She always had dogs around her, including Dylan and Shep, and most recently Beana, Ted and Cyril. As teenagers, Liv and she spent their weekends helping out at local stables. They had a shared pony called Foxbury, and Emma then went on to acquire her horse Homer. In 2007, Emma set up a company called Emmpix, which combined her talent for photography with her love of horses. Her sisters remember Emma’s sense of humour, and her love of pranks. Presents might be securely wrapped in triple layers of Sellotape, or contain little surprises. She doted on her four nephews and her niece, but that didn’t stop her trying to undermine their parents’ efforts to control portion sizes. Seemingly, she once took Finley out for breakfast and ordered him not just an adult size fry up but followed that with chocolate orange pudding. She encouraged the children to lick out their bowls! But despite this, the family tell me she was very good at looking after other people. Nigel recalls how altruistic his daughter was – he says she had friendship in spades! Christmas was always a special time – the girls tell me that if anyone was known to be spending Christmas Day on their own, they would be invited to join the family for lunch. On one occasion, Emma was catering for 27 people! Even a power cut on the day wouldn’t daunt her. Every Christmas in adulthood, Emma went to town, insisting on a huge Christmas tree decorated with baubles – she was immensely fond of collecting baubles! Like her beloved Nanna Gann, Jean, Emma brought everyone in the family together. There was an annual family day, with Emma providing the marquee and galvanising others to take part. Family was very important to Emma. She was very close to her mother Joy, and of course was devastated when she passed away in 2004, when Emma was 31. It was from her mother and her maternal grandfather that she inherited her artistic talents. In 2011, Emma met Kevan. She had photographed an endurance ride at Elvaston Castle, near Derby. It was not long before they joined forces. With his support and expertise, they expanded her Emmpix business so that it developed three-fold over the next few years. They had a team of colleagues who worked alongside Emma and Kevan at equestrian events, balls and parties. She encouraged them all, not just through developing their professional skills but also for some their confidence. There was friendship as well as a working relationship. It was through her experiences at equine events that Emma became a supporter of the Air Ambulance. Having witnessed accidents that required the helicopter to transport riders to hospital. Emma knew how vital this service is. Emma became a sponsor to Warwickshire Air Ambulance, with a donation going to the service for every photograph sold. We will remember Emma for her fun and friendship, talent and tenacity, creativity and charisma. She is loved by many and will be greatly missed.

Remembered by Alexandra Lewis