A 33-year-old Broughty ferry woman has died just days after being told she had contracted an infection in a heart valve.
Nicolla Farmer attended Ninewells Hospital to undergo tests, and doctors then diagnosed her with an infected heart valve.
Her condition tragically led to a blood clot in her brain and she passed away following an operation to remove it.
Her family have paid tribute to Nicolla, who married her childhood sweetheart Kris in 2009, and said she was loved by everyone who knew her.
Kris, who met his wife as teenagers when they lived next door to each other, said: “I don’t think it has quite hit home for me yet. She held on as long as she could after the operation but doctors told us she was in a very serious condition.”
Her parents Ann and Niall said the whole family sister Leanne, and brothers Andrew and Ross were struggling to come to terms with their tragic loss.
“We are all devastated,” she said. “It just seems unbelievable. Her family was so important to her and both our families will never be the same without her.”
Kris also paid tribute to his wife’s kindness and selfless nature.
“She always did her best at everything,” he said. “She was always bubbly and laughing and it just felt good to be around her. She had friends all over the world who loved her. She was just that kind of person.”
Her family also gave a heartfelt thanks to the medical staff at Ninewells for all their “amazing” help and support during Nicolla’s illness.
Nicolla, who worked as a project manager at Clydesdale Bank, loved travelling and visited countries all over the world, including Australia, Japan and Fiji.
She was born and brought up in Dundee and attended Powrie Primary School, before attending Grove Academy. She later studied sociology and psychology at Stirling University.
Her family also urged others to think about signing up as a blood or organ donor after discovering that kind Nicolla had recently registered.
Her mum Ann said: “It was just typical Nicolla, always wanting to help somebody else. I hope people will consider being a blood donor or an organ donor because I know Nicolla would definitely want people to take that away from this.”