“Brave, fearless and beautiful” Forfar toddler Kinsley McMillan has been laid to rest during an emotional funeral attended by hundreds of relatives and friends.
Mourners lined the streets to watch a horse-drawn hearse carry the two-year-old’s tiny pink coffin to the Angus town’s St Fergus Catholic Church.
The carriage then took her onwards to Forfar Cemetery.
Kinsley died unexpectedly in Ninewells Hospital in Dundee last month, only hours after she had been out for tea with her devoted gran, Karen Kennedy.
The toddler had been fighting a rare brain tumour since she was just five months old.
Kinsley McMillan: ‘Safe for eternity’
Paying tribute to her beloved granddaughter, Karen said: “I feel so much fear standing here today and that’s only a fraction of the fear Kinsley must have felt.
“Our brave, fearless and beautiful Kinsley is now healed from cancer and safe for eternity.”
After Kinsley was diagnosed with an optic nerve glioma, Karen set up a blog, Kisses from Kinsley, to raise awareness of paediatric brain tumours.
Kinsley’s mum, Eden, and dad, John, listened as Karen told mourners how Kinsley’s legacy has helped others understand more about her rare illness.
“There are no words, no gestures, no possible way to convey the love, hope and bravery which Kinsley was able to accomplish over her time spent fighting the physical health challenges she was faced with,” she said.
“She left her mark on this world and was a winner in the way that mattered – by bringing a global impact of awareness to paediatric brain tumours and the impact on the lives of all affected.”
Kinsley lost her sight due to the tumour and in January survived an 11-hour operation, which doctors hoped would prolong her life.
Karen said her granddaughter had “magic in her veins” and “sass in spades”.
She added: “A lifetime with you would never have been long enough, but you were too pure and precious for this cruel world.
“Kinsley faced her battles like a princess facing a dragon, with dignity pride and grace.
“We are blessed and proud to have been chosen to be your family.
“You came to earth to be loved and be given a name.
“You taught us so much about courage, life love and family.
“Our pain will never be healed until you are in our arms again.”
Although Kinsley had been ill for most of her short life, her death came as a shock to the family, as the toddler had been coping well.
Once they have had time to grieve, Karen says the family will continue their efforts to raise awareness, as well as fundraising for children’s charities.
Thousands of pounds has already been raised in Kinsley’s name for childhood brain tumour charity Team Jak.
Karen said: “Kinsley, we promise you, that when we are stronger, we will honour you and your name, and help children fighting brain cancer, just like you would have wanted.
“Your name will never ever be forgotten our darling girl.”
Conversation