Forfar toddler Kinsley McMillan has died suddenly after battling a rare brain tumour for most of her short life.
Kinsley, two, passed away in Ninewells Hospital at midnight on Wednesday.
Only hours earlier she had been out for tea with her devoted gran, Karen Kennedy.
Kinsley’s heartbroken mum, Eden Kennedy, paid tribute to her daughter, calling her “the brightest star in the sky”.
Karen had been driving home with Kinsley when the tot suddenly became unwell and she had to quickly divert to the hospital.
The cause of her death is not yet known.
Gruelling operation
Kinsley was diagnosed with a rare brain tumour in September 2020, when she was just five months old.
In January of this year she survived a gruelling 11-hour operation. It was hoped that would prolong her life and without it she would only have a few months to live.
At the time, doctors deemed the operation a success.
Kinsley was completely blind and faced several treatments, including chemotherapy, since being diagnosed with an optic nerve glioma as a baby.
She is in the sky now where she can see and dance and laugh and do all the things she couldn’t do on earth.
Paying tribute to her daughter Kinsley’s mum Eden Kennedy said: “My beautiful girl grew her wings on May 25.
“There isn’t any amount of time with you that would ever have been enough, my darling Kinsley.
“I know you’re at peace and pain free but it doesn’t make it any easier, you never gave up baby girl.”
She added: “I’ve watched you fight this horrible disease since you were five months old and you are the bravest person I know.
“I am strong because of you, you are the one that will get me through this.
“I am heartbroken and lost for words.
“I love you endlessly, you will be the brightest star in the sky my girl.
“My family has lost their light, nobody will forget you Kinsley, you left your mark everywhere you went and I am so proud to call you mine.
“You are free princess.”
Eden called Kinsley a “very special little girl”.
She added: “She is in the sky now where she can see and dance and laugh and do all the things she couldn’t do on earth.
“We were so lucky to have her.
“I just can’t believe this is real, I still expect her to come home again.”
‘Completely unexpected’
Gran Karen said Kinsley had not been struggling in the run up to her death and while her cause of death is yet to be confirmed, an early autopsy showed tumours had developed on her spine.
Karen said: “We are all absolutely heartbroken.
“She hadn’t been ill beforehand and her death is completely unexpected.
“We are happy to say there was no distress or trauma for Kinsley when she passed away.
“It is a mercy that she died quickly. We are happy that Kinsley is now at peace and no longer in any pain.
“Her tumours must have changed and we hope the hospital can figure out why.
“She gave us the best two years of our lives.
“We are hoping that her illness and death will be able to help other children in the future.
“She is now safe for eternity. We will always remember Kinsley the way she was – happy and loved by her family.”
Fundraising
After her diagnosis her family set up a special Facebook page, Kisses from Kinsley – Journey of a Brain Tumour, to record her highs and lows as well as fundraising efforts.
Thousands of pounds have been raised in her name for Team Jak, a charity supporting families of children with brain tumours.
The most recent fundraising event was held at the home of Strathmore Rugby Club in Forfar last month which raised more than £3,000.
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