A “kind and generous” mum-of-two who became a champion for cancer charities has died aged 40.
Lawyer Theresa Hunt lived in Blackburn with her husband, Chris, and sons Matthew, 11, and seven-year-old Ethan.
The expert in the field of planning was well-known through her work on various major projects in the north-east.
She was also an active supporter of the Friends of Anchor cancer charity and Voluntary Service Aberdeen.
Her intention, after recovering from breast cancer in 2018, was to host her 40th birthday as a fundraising event for both groups earlier this year.
This had to be cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, but her family hopes to uphold her wishes on what would have been her 41st birthday in April 2021.
The mother-of-two died on Friday, July 24, following a brief spell in hospital.
Her heartbroken husband last night paid tribute to Mrs Hunt.
Mr Hunt said: “To know Theresa is to know kindness, generosity and love. She gave of her time without grumble. She always made everyone she met feel like they were the most important person and that is a remarkable talent.
“Having spent our life together signing off our gifts and cards to each other as ‘love you forever’, we meant it, and I will continue to love her and our boys forever.”
Born into a family of nine, Mrs Hunt grew up in the manse at Cookney, near Stonehaven, attending Netherley Primary School and later Mackie Academy, and graduated from Aberdeen University with a 2:1 Bachelor of Laws.
She spent her whole career with Burness Paull at its Aberdeen office, originally joining its legacy firm Paull and Williamson as a trainee in 2002 and enrolling as a solicitor in 2004. She was hailed by many as an inspiring role model there.
Latterly, Mrs Hunt represented clients involved in major planning projects in the north-east and led the firm’s licensing practice, appearing regularly in high profile hearings across the UK.
Described by colleagues as a talented, diligent and dedicated lawyer, Mrs Hunt’s years of service were rewarded last year when she became a partner at Burness Paull.
Those who knew her both professionally and personally say they will remember her as a generous person with an eye for detail and a great passion for life.
Outside of her work, Mrs Hunt was always willing to take on a challenge to raise money for charities close to her heart.
A keen runner, she ran the Dublin Marathon in 2005, raising money for both Aberdeen cancer charity Clan and Cystic Fibrosis, and later the London Marathon in 2007 raising further funds for Clan.
Mrs Hunt’s funeral will take place on Friday, August 7.