Emily Rose Browning, 24, had just secured her first permanent job and was looking forward to settling into her new life with her boyfriend Jack Weston – who said the pair were planning to get engaged
A “carefree” teacher who was about to get engaged to her boyfriend was tragically found dead by him after suffering a cardiac arrest at just 24-years-old.
Emily Rose Browning had just landed her first permanent job as a teacher at Gladstone Primary School in Pontcanna, Cardiff, and was looking forward to settling into her new life with her boyfriend Jack Weston, who said the pair were planning to get engaged. Tragically, Jack was the one who discovered Emily in bed in December after she suffered a sudden cardiac arrest in her sleep.
The couple met in late 2017 on a night out at Cardiff University’s student union before making things official in May 2018. Speaking about his first encounter with Emily, Jack, 27, said: “I remember when I first met Em back she just stood out to me a bit. There was something a bit different about her – the way she had such a carefree attitude. It meant you’d just respect the way she just enjoyed being herself. She had this very distinctive personality and lived life to the absolute max. She was obviously absolutely stunning.
“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 to Cardiff from Somerset to study criminology at university, while Jack, who is originally from Worcester, was in the third year of his medical degree in the city. From May 2018, the pair spent the rest of their time at university together, with Emily going on to achieve a first in her criminology degree and psychology masters. Jack and Emily moved in together in Pontcanna in the summer of 2023, WalesOnline reports.
Jack, who is now a doctor, said one of his favourite things about Emily was how sociable she was, and how easy it was for her to get along with everyone. “What I loved about our relationship was how if we were to meet up with friends or go on a night out, even if there were people she didn’t know, she would happily just get along with them. The amount of people that she met the first time that she got on so well with was just unbelievable.”
He added “there isn’t a moment that goes by” that he doesn’t think about Emily. “I think about her from the minute I wake up, to the minute I go to bed I think about her. Going to sleep in an empty bed is just heartbreaking”.
Jack described the last three months since losing Emily as the “worst” of his life. He added: “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.”
Jack, Emily’s older sister Katie and a number of her friends are taking part in half marathons, massive bike rides and triathlons in Emily’s memory. Her parents Jackie and Robin are doing the Three Peaks Challenge climbing Scafell Pike, Snowdon and Ben Nevis.
Speaking about Emily, Robin, Jackie and Katie said: “Emily was a fit and healthy 24-year-old who enjoyed life to the full. 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.”
To honour her memory, the headteacher of Emily’s school announced they would be creating a memorial garden. A GoFundMe set up to raise funds for the project reads: “This garden will be a space for reflection, joy, and growth—a place where children can learn through outdoor experiences, and find peace and inspiration. It will reflect Emily’s values of nurturing curiosity, creativity, and well-being in every learner.”
Gladstone Primary School said: “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.”
