Farewell to Philly

FAMILY and friends of Philippa Creasey (left) have paid tribute to the owner of the Tower Hotel following her death after a long battle with cancer.

Philly’s death at just 58 has had a profound impact on the team at the Tower on Westgate, which she had run for 33 years.

“The loss within the business has been felt massively across the whole team, but especially to the Tower’s fantastic general manager Adam who has worked alongside Philly for over 10 years and her best friend Karen, the Tower’s brilliant reception manager,” said her son Finn Dillon, who has taken over the running of the hotel.

“The team all miss her kindness and generosity and unbelievable sense of humour. No matter how inevitable the end is it’s still impossible to prepare, her whole family are still in immense shock but find peace in the knowledge that she is no longer in any pain.”

As well as Finn, Philly also leaves husband Jez, sister Caroline and halfbrothers Simon and Edward.

Philly was born in October 21, 1964 at The Lincoln Hospital (formerly the Bromhead) to James and Rita Andrew.

She attended St Mary’s Preparatory School followed by Oakham School before getting her first Job at the St James Hotel, London.

Philly moved and studied at Oxford & County Secretarial College, meeting her partner John Foley at this time. The couple moved back to Lincoln in 1989 originally to be near her sister and brother-in-law, Caroline and Pete Dunn, and their family.

They dreamed of opening a small bed and breakfast business in the city, but Philly’s dad, Jim, had bigger plans.

‘He had just viewed The Tower Garage on Westgate as a potential spot for redevelopment. Philly and John agreed it was the perfect place to open their new business together. After work was completed the Tower Hotel was opened in August 1990,” explained Finn. When the couple parted a few years later Philly continued to run the Tower with help from family and a growing team.

“She always had huge work ambitions. However, her most important role over the last 33 years at the Tower was ensuring she had a happy and well looked after team. Her team always seemed like an extension of her family.”

Philly’s interests away from work included collecting and designing her own jewellery; there was a brief stint at the potter’s wheel and an abiding love for fashion and interior design, which had a huge influence of the development of the Tower.

Her biggest loves were family and friends and she was delighted at the birth of son Finn in 1999. Large family trips were highlights for Philly and she created a nurturing home with Finn and husband Jez, whom she had married in 2009.

In 2012 Philly was diagnosed with breast cancer, which drove her dedication to charity work, especially for the organisations that dealt with the disease. “She always knew one day St Barnabas would be responsible for ensuring she was comfortable and safe towards the end of her life.

“Mum worked with the Tower hosting New Year’s Eve parties for Cancer Research and, of course, her hot chocolate stall at Lincoln Christmas Market - her favourite time of year.”

Philly spent exactly one month in the hospice before her death – the cancer has metastasised to her liver and bones.

“She received unbelievable care from truly unbelievable people. Every year Philly’s, family and her Tower friends would serve complimentary soup and mulled wine to the thousands of people walking the St Barnabas Light Up a Life torch walk.

“This year her family and friends know she won’t be there with them serving soup and mulled wine but be among those lives lit up by the work of St Barnabas every year. “