Tributes have been made to an “influential and modest” 32-year-old Monifieth woman who has passed away after a long illness.
Accountant Paula McAllister had battled bowel cancer for two and a half years after her diagnosis while seven and a half months pregnant.
She had endured 16 rounds of chemotherapy and a major operation but her determination meant she continued working with EQ Chartered Accountants up until just a few months ago.
Having never lost her strength of spirit, Paula was able to continue with the firm while also looking after two-year-old son Rhys with husband Stu.
EQ partner, David Morrison, said her contribution to the firm was “immense” and said she has been a great friend to many.
“Words like ‘great’ and ‘inspirational’ are used often but in Paula’s case they do not do her life justice,” he said.
“In her work and manner, she led by example and her fortitude in the face of such adversity was simply incredible.
“She drew tremendous strength from her family, friends and colleagues, all of whom are devastated by her death”.
Paula, alongside colleagues, had raised an incredible sum of almost £35,000 for Maggie’s Dundee, a charity close to her heart.
The team at EQ had nominated the organisation as its charity of the year in 2018 and embarked on a programme of fundraising events over the course of a year.
The activities were drawn to a close at a charity ball at the Apex Hotel, where in a speech Paula said the charity had made a “huge difference” to her and her family and said raising so much was “absolutely incredible”.
The former Monifieth High pupil attended Dundee University, where she achieved a first class honours degree in accountancy and finished top of her year, amassing several prizes along the way.
She joined EQ in 2009 as a trainee Chartered Accountant, qualifying in 2012 and winning the Ian Stevenson Prize for her academic achievements in her ICAS studies.
Within EQ she rose quickly through the ranks, achieving a senior manager position and heading up the promotion of the company’s Leisure services.
Paula and Stu met when they were teenagers and made their home in Monifieth before marrying in September 2015 and having Rhys in September.
Paula, who is survived by husband Stu, son Rhys, parents Graeme and Liz and brother Grant, passed away on April 8.
