Angela Gillies, taken weeks before her wedding

23rd September 2023 - a day where ‘Here comes the Bride’ should be

hummed out in Nethybridge Hotel.

A day Angela Gillies was to marry the love of her life, Kevin Pratt. A

couple who came together a little later in life and were truly meant to

be together.

Their love for each other was radiating and they were both so clearly

happy.

However, cruelly, on the 20th of August, one week before her 52nd

birthday, she was taken from all who love her.

She had gone for a

routine op on the 18th, no biggie - only meaning her hen do was to be

postponed from that weekend, but there were complications and on

the 19th, she was admitted to ICU in Raigmore Hospital.

Sadly, she did not pull through and her family and friends have been

left devastated.

A groom without his bride, sons without their mum, grand babies

without their doting granny and parents without their only and loving

child. Family was everything to Angela.

For those who know Angela, know what a radiant person she is

anyway. She has an amazing smile and an unmistakable laugh that

would fill you with joy. Angela would do anything for family and

friends.

Even when she was debilitated through fibromyalgia, she was still

there for loved ones.

Angela loved life. She has 2 amazing sons, Kieran and Allan and

daughter in laws Laura and Shona, who she treated like her own

daughters. Between them they gifted her the best grandchildren.

Thea, Alaya and Killian. They were her world. And then there are her parents Maureen and Brian, who worked so hard. They were all so close.

Angela was a regular at The Oxygen Works in Inverness where she

swore by the treatment there. Not just the health treatments but the

friendships and ‘family’ she formed there. There are some who go

because of her recommendations.

Her love of all things Disney and Christmas definitely kept her young.

That air of innocence and excitement you get with children. Angela

had that.

She had so much love for others, was excited by others accomplishments and saddened by others hurt.

I, Helen - sorry should have introduced myself first, but I like to break the rules - am fortunate enough to have known her.

My happiest memories of school and being a teenager included Angela.

Riding bikes up Glenmore, being watched and caught by Ma Banks and

lining up outside Mr Dunn’s office at school (if you know, you know!),

lunching at Joes. Being a teenager in the 80s meant we were the

trendiest by far!

Like so many, we drifted away and had families and never kept in

touch as much as we would like.

Until Facebook of course, then we

could keep in touch virtually. We had a few mini catch ups over the

years and Angela was always so positive and excited. When I went

through hell, she always had kind words and care. When I recently got

married, she sent me the loveliest message. ‘A heart of gold’ is too

cliche.

I was delighted that I got to spend an evening with her and Kevin

recently at a school reunion, in fact the first our class had had - 40

years after joining high school.

As some are unfortunate to know, it’s times like this where you need

that little extra help. Hence, I would like to offer Kevin and family some

extra help on the practical level.

It costs a lot when you enter the

world and equally it’s cost a lot to leave. Entering the world is joyous

and there are so many gifts to help ease the financial spike, but when

you leave, it’s also a financial strain.

With all the expense of a planned

wedding, weeks away, adding a funeral cost won’t be easy, I’m sure.

I ask, if you can, to donate to help Kevin and family to not worry about

anything financial and allow them to do what they must do - grieve for

Angela. She has left a massive hole in their lives, and they need to

only concentrate on dealing with that.

I know everyone struggles right now, so please don’t feel bad if you

can’t.

Please know that life is short - you have no idea when it’s your time.

Life live to the fullest, do what Angela did when she could, and have

adventures.

Throw yourselves into your family and friends and take care of yourself.

Something Angela did that I fail at, is take lots of photos. Her Facebook is full of happy photos. Photos that will come up every year for many and remind them of special times with Angela.

I know I will try take more. If we are lucky, God willing, one day memories are all we will have to look back on and leave behind.