The heartbroken family of an Angus mother-of-three have paid tribute to their “beautiful mummy” after her death aged 42.
Dundee United fan Donna McLaren died at home in Montrose on Monday with her family – husband Colin and children Calum, Ellie and Cayden – by her side.
Her death came just days before Calum turns 18 and Ellie marks her 16th birthday.
Donna was diagnosed with a rare gallbladder cancer, which had spread to her liver, earlier this year.
Husband ‘humbled’ by wife’s response to cancer diagnosis
Speaking just two days after her death, seven-year-old son Cayden said: “She was beautiful, a proper mummy – she always wanted to be out with us all together.”
Donna, who grew up in Mid Craigie in Dundee and went to St Saviour’s High School, is the daughter of Mick and Theresa Johnston, best known for running the Arctic, Abode and Albert bars.
Colin says Donna stayed positive throughout her illness and fought to the end.
He told The Courier: “Donna was so strong and filled with positivity – she had no self-pity at all.
“Her behaviour during this illness humbled me. She fought right to the end and she had her wish to die at home with her family.”
Colin says Donna began suffering from stomach pains in summer 2022.
She underwent tests at Ninewells and in February this year she was diagnosed with stage four terminal gallbladder cancer along with secondary liver cancer.
Colin said: “By the time they diagnosed the cancer – of which there are only around 1,200 cases in the country a year – it was terminal.
“We were told that was often what happens because it can be so late being diagnosed.”
Donna was determined to get what treatment she could to prolong her life, and the couple spent three days each week in Manchester for chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
Initially the treatment seemed to be working and Colin said Donna was “doing OK”.
However, her condition worsened and she ended up in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
She was determined to get home and spend her final days at home in Montrose.
Colin said: “Sadly, Donna failed to get better and she died at home on September 11.”
Donna’s final cup of tea at ‘forever home’
Paying tribute to his wife – who worked alongside him in their property letting business, Coldecc Property Group – Colin said the couple had been doing up their forever home outside Brechin before she died.
He said: “She never got to live there but she asked me to take her there for one final cup of tea before she died.
“We went there the Thursday before she died and we sat outside in the sunshine enjoying our cup of tea.”
Colin is now fundraising for Macmillan Cancer Support in memory of his wife.
He added: “Donna wanted more than anything to be with our children. She was a superb mum.
“She was so strong. She was loyal and fun and could also be very stubborn.
Family ‘became one’ after news of terminal illness
“During the last 14 months we pulled together and we became one.
“Now we have to learn to live without her – I’m going to have to learn to cook.”
Calum, who turns 18 on Friday, said: “Mum was caring, loving and never selfish. She cared about everybody.”
Ellie has her 16th birthday on Saturday.
Conversation