Emma’s funeral will take place on Thursday 27 November at 11am at St Paul’s RC Church in Haywards Heath (Hazlegrove Road RH16 3PQ).
There will be a celebration of Emma's life immediately after the service at Haywards Heath Rugby Club, Whitemans Green, Cuckfield RH17 5HX.

All Welcome. Please wear a splash of colour, preferably red.

Family flowers only. We request that if you are able, that you make a donation to Macmillan, a charity very close to Emma's heart so that they can continue to provide care to those that need it as they did for Tara, Emma's sister. Please make your donations via the link in the following page HERE.

For those unable to join us in person, the service will be shown via a live link
Https://youtube.com/live/a2jc7sOJywM?feature=share

Brian, Jacob, Helena and Dominic

The Club is shocked and extremely sad to announce that Emma Makosz-Lawrence died suddenly at home last Saturday evening having felt slightly unwell during the day. Obviously this is devastating news for Brian, their son Jacob and all their friends and family at the rugby club and beyond.

Emma was a vivacious and happy character who always had a smile on her face and found time to chat with others. She was often to be seen at the rugby club in the company of her much-loved dog Otis.

Emma’s son Jacob started playing rugby back in 2010 and as a family Emma and Brian soon fell in love with the camaraderie that the Club offered and the many enjoyable interactions and conversations with other parents and Club supporters. Her and Brian went on a number of youth rugby tours and made many friends across the age groups.

Over the years Emma found enormous joy in her relationship with Haywards Heath Rugby Club and developed a deep love for the game. In recent seasons, she attended most senior home team games and enjoyed many pre-match lunches where she could often be found with a phone in her hand trying to catch the special spontaneous moments as they happened to support the work she did on the Club’s social media platforms. Turning the tables on Emma, there is a lovely photo of her and Brian enjoying Sunday lunch in the new Clubhouse on the Club’s Instagram grid.

Even when Jacob stopped playing rugby at Heath, Emma volunteered at the Club in a number of ways - in addition to the frequent social media posts she took on team management responsibilities for very young age groups when no one else would, even though she had no child playing in that age group - a selfless task at the best of times which shows how much Emma wanted to contribute in any way she could to help the Club and encourage all children to enjoy their rugby.

This season, Emma had particularly enjoyed seeing the new women’s team at Heath grow and flourish, being present at the initial welcome BBQ that launched the squad during the summer and becoming a staunch supporter of the women’s team as it set out on its pathway to competitive play. Emma was pitch-side to cheer on the women during their first home game at Whitemans Green only two weeks ago. It is very sad that she will not be here to experience the success that the squad is undoubtedly going to have in the coming months and years, however her enthusiasm and support will not be forgotten.

The HHRFC Board - Dan, Rhodri, JJ, Phil, Tracey, Peter and Mark and everyone at the Club sends deep condolences to Brian at this difficult time. We also send best wishes to Jacob and all other family and friends affected by this awful news.