Fundraiser launched for family of 'radiant' Inverness woman who passed away a month before her wedding
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An Inverness mum and grandmother has died just short of her 52nd birthday.
Angela Gillies was set to marry the love of her life, Kevin Pratt, at the Nethybridge Hotel on September 30.
However she sadly passed away on August 20 after complications from a routine operation.
Although she had health problems her family and friends had only expected the operation to mean a slight delay for her hen do.
Friend Helen Duncan, who had known Angela since school days, has now launched an online fundraiser to provide some support for those she has left behind. It has so far raised more than £2400.
"A groom without his bride, sons without their mum, grand babies without their doting granny and parents without their only and loving child," she said. "Family was everything to Angela.
"For those who know Angela, know what a radiant person she is anyway. She has an amazing smile and an unmistakable laugh that would fill you with joy. Angela would do anything for family and friends.
"Even when she was debilitated through fibromyalgia, she was still there for loved ones.
"Angela loved life. She has two amazing sons, Kieran and Allan, and daughter in laws Laura and Shona, who she treated like her own daughters. Between them they gifted her the best grandchildren. Thea, Alaya and Killian. They were her world.
"And then there are her parents Maureen and Brian, who worked so hard. They were all so close."
She added: "Angela was a regular at The Oxygen Works in Inverness where she swore by the treatment there. Not just the health treatments but the friendships and ‘family’ she formed there. There are some who go because of her recommendations.
"Her love of all things Disney and Christmas definitely kept her young.
"That air of innocence and excitement you get with children. Angela had that.
"She had so much love for others, was excited by others' accomplishments and saddened by others' hurt."
She continued: "I was delighted that I got to spend an evening with her and Kevin recently at a school reunion, in fact the first our class had had – 40 years after joining high school."
She hopes her Go fund Me appeal will help the family with the costs of Anegla's funeral, as they have already faced the cost of her upcoming wedding.
"As some are unfortunate to know, it’s times like this where you need that little extra help," she said. "Hence, I would like to offer Kevin and family some extra help on the practical level.
"It costs a lot when you enter the world and equally it’s cost a lot to leave. Entering the world is joyous and there are so many gifts to help ease the financial spike, but when you leave, it’s also a financial strain.
"With all the expense of a planned wedding, weeks away, adding a funeral cost won’t be easy, I’m sure.
"I ask, if you can, to donate to help Kevin and family to not worry about anything financial and allow them to do what they must do – grieve for Angela. She has left a massive hole in their lives, and they need to only concentrate on dealing with that."
A message on the social media account for The Oxygen Works, which provides oxygen therapy and support for a range of conditions, reads: "It is with utter disbelief and sadness that we share the news with you all about the incredibly tragic passing of our good friend Angela Gillies.
"Anyone who knew Angela would know what a kind, caring and compassionate woman she was. As soon as she walked into a room you knew she had arrived. It feels like a cliché to say that her smile lit up the room but it could light the whole of the Highlands. Even on her dark days she had the biggest smile for everyone and the loudest laugh in the room. It’s almost incomprehensible that we will never see that smile again.
"Angela was a huge part of The Oxygen Works, not just as an attendee of the 'tank' as she always called it, but as a member of our Wellbeing and Craft Groups. Keen to get involved and have fun, she always put others at ease with her kindness and authenticity. Unique in every way and loved by all the team and members who knew her. We will miss her so very much.
"As always the team are here for anyone who wants to chat, laugh, cry or share their own stories and memories of Angela, we have already been sharing our memories and feelings between the team this morning. She will not be forgotten.
"To Kevin Pratt and her family, who she loved beyond words, we send our love and deepest condolences. Such a sore miss for each and every one."
