Heartbroken friends of an Inverness woman have paid tribute to their “ray of sunshine” and “one of life’s little gems” after she died in hospital, aged 20.
Shona Ann Macleod was said to have left behind “very fond memories and wonderful stories” after she passed away “very suddenly, yet so very peacefully” at Raigmore Hospital’s intensive treatment unit.
Tributes poured in on social media for Ms Macleod, who was a hugely popular member of a city martial arts club and had attended Culloden Academy and Cradlehall Primary School.
Smithton-Culloden Free Church described her as a “much loved friend to all who knew her” at the church, where her funeral will be held on Tuesday.
Inverness Taekwon-do Dunbar Blackbelt Academy said in a post: “We are sorry to make this announcement but our dear student Shona Ann Macleod passed away last night.
“To say we are totally devastated is an understatement and our thoughts are with her family at this time.”
Culloden Academy also used social media to pay tribute to Ms Macleod, who died last Thursday night, saying: “Shona Ann was a popular pupil in Culloden Academy and previously Cradlehall Primary School.
“She never failed to put a smile on the face of everyone she came into contact with. She leaves lots of very fond memories and wonderful stories.
“One of life’s little gems. She will be sorely missed. Our thoughts go out to her loving family – mum and dad, Donald and Una, and her brother Malcolm.”
Funeral directors William T Fraser & Son said online that the service would be held at Smithton Culloden Free Church on Tuesday, and thereafter to Kilvean Cemetery.
Donations may be shared among Watoto Children’s Home, Uganda, Down Syndrome Scotland and Vasculitis Research UK, as well as local charities with which Ms MacLeod was connected.
The post added: “The most precious and ‘darling daughter’ (as she liked to be called) of Una, ‘my lovely mum’, and Donald, ‘my good father’ and a devoted sister to Malcolm, ‘the best brother in Inverness’, who in turn cherished ‘the best sister I could ever have asked for’.
“Outside her family circle, and as a lover of life and people, she impacted the lives of all whom she met.
“A ray of sunshine has been taken at the tender age of nearly 21 years. Our hearts are broken but she is safe in the arms of Jesus whom she loved and ‘couldn’t wait to see’.”