Death of 21-year-old brain tumor "not right," says father

The death of his 21-year-old "living and attractive" daughter of a brain tumor was "simply unfair," said a conservative council leader.

Emily Oliver, whose father, Tim Oliver, is the head of Surrey County Council, died July 15 at the Princess Alice Hospice in Esher, 18 months after the diagnosis of glioblastoma.

A funeral service for family and close friends will be held at Randall Park's crematorium, Leatherhead, on Monday.

Emily was studying nursing at the University of Nottingham when she became ill.

"She had everything to hope for," said Oliver.

"I did not think a parent would trade his positions. It's not fair.

"We just think it's a loss for someone who has contributed to life and, as for the nursing profession, I think she would have really accepted that."

Emily used her last few months – including her 21st birthday in October – to raise more than £ 40,000 for The Brain Tumor Charity.

Brain tumors are the leading cause of cancer in children and adults under 40 – causing 5,000 deaths a year – but the charity says brain tumor research accounts for less than 2% of all 500 deaths. Millions of euros spent each year in cancer research in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Oliver will continue his daughter's campaign by raising funds for the charity when he participates in the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 on August 4th.

Over £ 14,000 has already been pledged to support Oliver and his 25-year-old son James in fundraising.

"It will be very emotional. I am looking forward to it. It's something very positive for me, "he said.

"We have just rebuilt our lives."

Mr. Oliver, who also has an older daughter, Charlotte, 26, has remembered Emily as a "very kind person".

"She was pretty noisy. You knew when she was in a room. We used to say, "Can not you calm down a little?

"She was lively and engaging. She was the youngest and the one for which I said that I worried myself the least, because she had just moved on to something else. "

He added, "She has fully embraced life. She was a memorable person. When she entered the room, people smiled and laughed.

Emily went to Guildford High School, then chose to board Millfield, Somerset, while completing her bachelor's degree.

Her father said she "did not necessarily work as hard" as she could have done and had some "minor trouble", adding, "She would push the limits.

"Emily, who was not an early bird, refused to obey a roll call in the morning and is still two minutes late."

He said that had made the hostess mad "and she just laughed," adding, "She was slightly disrespectful."

Mr. Oliver is also reminded to have had to donate to school funds to make things easier after "she jumped from a hedge and jumped on someone who was not there. she thought she was a friend, and it turned out that she was the school director.

Emily's parents were invited to pick her up at Millfield after returning from the Glastonbury festival after driving there in violation of school rules.

Emily's brother, James, brought her home as Mr. Oliver and his wife Debi celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary and invited friends to lunch.

"She came up looking like Swampy and sat and feasted with stories of what she did. She loved life, "said her father.

A celebration of Emily's life will take place at Christ Church in Esher on September 14th.

To donate to Mr. Oliver's fundraising visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/timoliversurreycountycouncil