Hundreds attended the funeral at St. James' Parish Church, Somerset last Saturday of Emily Frances Burgess. And in all likelihood, knowing her lineage, they could hardly have been surprised at her having been eulogised in the most superlative terms.

Emily was of the Simmons clan that produced her grandfather, the Rev. A. Copeland Simmons, a pillar in the AME Church, and his brother, the iconic Cup Match skipper and cricket administrator Warren (Bosun) Simmons, and the next generation of high-profile cousins for Emily such as Randy, Ellen-Kate and Katrina Horton to name a few who have helped put Bermuda on the international map in a variety of sports and administrative realms.

Emily was born December 2, 1945, the first of the three children of Cyril and Laura. She lost her battle against cancer just two days before Christmas and three weeks after celebrating her 62nd birthday. She was a true Trojan, having checked herself into Agape House.

Her brother Erwyn Bean, a former Somerset Cricket Club president, said even though her stay at Agape House was short, staff there were impressed with her spirit and popularity, believing she set a new record for the number of visitors streaming in to see her in a single day.

He said: "Her determination allowed her to witness the birth of her great nephew, Elijah, to attend her company's Christmas party and to vote in the December 18 General Election for her representative Walter Lister."

Mr. Lister, MP for Sandys South Central, was among those who paid tribute to Emily, each highlighting her love of music, dancing, sports and above all her passion for elegant dress, and being able to stand out in a crowd.

Because of her love to be fashionable, she acquired such names at "Miss Emm", "Lady Emm", "Miss B" and "Miss Diva".

Emily's pastor, the Rev. Dr. Wilbur Lowe, Jr., of Mount Zion AME Church, said Emily was a beautiful lady who carried herself with godly pride. Her bubbly personality brightened the room she occupied. She was always the life of the party, confident, enjoyed making her livelihood in retail business, after graduating from The Berkeley Secretarial School in New Jersey. Firstly, she was employed at Bell Services in Hamilton and lastly at the Picturesque Gallery in the Dockyard Clock Tower Mall.

Rev. Lowe said she was a true unofficial tourism ambassador for Bermuda, gaining the title from other Mall merchants there as "Miss Clock Tower". Once when commuting to Hamilton by ferry from Somerset, she organised a Christmas party for fellow travellers.

Emily was a fanatical supporter of Somerset Cricket Club. She loved Cup Match and followed the Trojans in the Silver City Days. Tiger Woods was her greatest sports personality and the Detroit Pistons her favourite basketball team.

Emily's casket was borne into St. James' Church by six of her girlfriends, Beverley Ratteray, Meredith Johnson, Claudette Simmons, Aldeen Cann, Florence Warren and Carol Postlewaite.

She is survived by her son Loren, her parents Cyril and Laura Bean, brother Erwyn and sister Laverne, grandchildren K'ari and Kuhn Bean and a host of other relatives and friends.