We met Philomena several times through our uncle (Peter) and we absolutely loved her! She was full of life and had a wonderful spirit. We’re sure she’ll be greatly missed. We are glad this page was set up as we’ve enjoyed reading about her interesting and vibrant life. Love to all her family and friends 💙

Our mother was an incredible woman, whose courage and determination helped her to overcome the odds and achieve things that many can only dream of. My mother grew up in a poor family, one of 6 siblings, she left school and ran away from home at age 16. Although she built a promising early career at Coca-Cola, by the time I was born, my mother and I were homeless reliant on the kindness of friends for a place to stay. The midwives suggested, given the circumstances, that she give me up for adoption, but she chose to keep me and to work to give me the best in life, no matter the hardship to herself. That decision has sharply changed the course of my life and I will be forever grateful. Again, when our father left, my mother found herself a jobless single parent to two young children. A situation in which anyone would be tempted to throw in the towel. But staring into the face of this new tragedy, my mother chose a different path. She enrolled to study a BSc in accountancy, becoming the first in her family to go to university. As a single parent to two rowdy teenagers, she juggled the strains of parenthood and academia to achieve, not just her undergraduate degree, but two master’s and finally a PhD in Economics, right here at the University of East Anglia. Our mum was incredibly kind, caring, generous and resourceful, but the thing that inspired me the most about her life was her courage and determination to do things that many others would write off as simply impossible. Whether she was converting our attic so that I could have my own bedroom or using discarded pallets to build a 150 sq.ft. playhouse for her granddaughter, my mother’s indomitable spirit meant that she never gave up, no matter how tough things became. My mother's most recent project is just another example of unwillingness to be cowed by adversity. Leaving her life behind to move 1,000 miles to a foreign country and learn a new language wasn’t enough of a challenge for her. She also set out to restore a beautiful traditional Spanish townhouse, with no heating, no electricity, and no roof. The challenges were staggering but you wouldn’t know it to talk to her as she took them in her stride with a spirit and optimism that you couldn’t help but admire. Today, we have to say goodbye to a beloved mother and a dear friend. For many of us, she leaves behind a void that simply cannot be replaced. And while we won’t be able to get on the phone and be regaled by the stories of her latest projects, there’s still a way that we can share in her spirit. The next time that we’re faced with a challenge that we’re certain that we can’t overcome, when giving up seems inevitable, remember my mum, the woman who never gave up.

Data-manager, Research Collaborator, Co-author, Tax-advisor, Gardener, Plumber, Decorator, Builder, Van-driver, and above all, Friend. These are just some of the things that you have been to me since we first met in September 2001. I'll miss you greatly, Phil.