The family of an Ayrshire mum who was told she had terminal cancer on Christmas Eve say she was a “diamond” after dedicating her life to helping others.
Tributes have poured in for much-loved Kathleen McDonald who bravely fought lung cancer for nearly two years after being told she only had four months to live.
The mum-of-two from Ayr was given the toughest news that she had stage 4 lung cancer after months of doctors prescribing antibiotics for suspected pleurisy.
But strong Kathleen defied the odds and even beat Covid and a heart attack to be with her family who say they were “lucky to have her as their mum.”
Sadly, she passed away at home on Saturday, November 27 at the age of 59.
The selfless mum worked with the most vulnerable people and ran a nursing home and business which supported those suffering with mental health difficulties.
Now thousands of pounds have been raised for charity in her memory as some donors have told how her incredible support “saved their lives.”
Devoted daughter Amy Frew was in Australia when she received a pre-Christmas in 2019 call from her mum that flipped her life upside down.
Amy, 30, rushed home just months before the coronavirus pandemic struck to be with her mum and brother Jim.
Her partner Daniel was able to get on the second-last flight out of the country before the country shut down.
After spending almost two years nursing her mum, the family says her determination to keep going was an inspiration.
Amy told Ayrshire Live: “Our amazing mum was given four months but lived for just under two years.
“She just kept knocking down barriers. We cherished every moment we had with her.
“I lived in Australia for six years, mum was diagnosed on Christmas Eve, and I did what any daughter would do and flew home as soon as I could to look after her.
“She went to the doctors at first complaining she wasn’t very well and they put it down to pleurisy and she was given antibiotics.
“By the time she got referred it was too late. It was six months worth of damage and there was nothing they could do.
“It was a shock to everyone, my mum always kept well.
“She was just this wee businesswoman, a gorgeous blonde, with her bright lipstick and high heels, she was bloody beautiful and would turn heads everywhere we went, no one would expect her to have stage 4 lung cancer.”
Kathleen battled to not only halt cancer but also beat coronavirus after she was struck down by the bug in March 2020.
Amy said: “They never thought mum was going to make it. At one point they told us she wasn't getting home and she wouldn’t make it, she ended up in hospital for 16 days.
“She also survived a heart attack. My auntie Liz used to say she had nine lives. Honestly, there were so many times she shouldn’t have been here but she just kept going.”
Despite living through numerous Covid restrictions and lockdowns , the family made the most of precious moments together.
And Kathleen's kids have praised her mum’s unbelievable spirit.
Amy said: “I didn’t see her cry or moan once.
“There was no feeling sorry for herself. Yes, Covid and cancer flipped our lives upside down but we just made the most of it.
“My mum taught me that you never know when it could be you.
“She was always thinking there are people worse off than her, she would tell the doctors that.
“She just kept positive and that has rubbed off on us as a family.”
Since her death, the family have received messages and support from across the world for holiday-lover Kathleen.
Amy and Jim launched a fundraiser in memory of their mum for the Ayrshire Hospice who provided at-home care for her mum in her final days and counselling for her heartbroken children.
The online Go Fund Me has so far raised £3,551 with an additional £209 raised at Kathleen's funeral.
Amy said: “The hospice provided counselling and support. I wouldn’t be where I am without that.
“I wouldn’t be as positive and accepting as I am without that.
“Mum refused any sort of support from the hospice, however, the day before she passed we got a couple of carers to look after her and they made sure she looked so beautiful in her final moments.
“It has been overwhelming how much support we have had.
“My mum would have been so touched by everyone’s generosity to raise money that will help someone else."
Kathleen grew up in Dalmilling before building up her own successful business and changed the fortunes of many people who were at rock bottom.
She said: “My mum ran a nursing home, Broomfield House in Ayr. She sold that just before she got ill.
“She ran her business called Dial Network which looks after people with mental health difficulties and learning difficulties. She’s spent most of her life doing that, for 22 years.
“She helped homeless people, kids who were at risk, domestic violence survivors. We used to host the elderly on Christmas Day for tea.
“She was just a diamond. People remember her for what she did for them.
“A wee while ago we booked to go for tea at the Brig O’Doon and the person on the phone said, ‘I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for your mum’.
“Her work has inspired me, she has left behind an incredible legacy. I am so proud and honoured that she was our mum."
You can donate to Amy Frew's fundraiser for her mum here.
Don't miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here
