Arbroath mother-of-three Pauline Acheson has died from non-Hodgkin lymphoma just a day before her 15th wedding anniversary, exactly three years on from her diagnosis.
The Arbroath mum’s family said she had given scores of fellow sufferers hope and inspiration through her support.
Sister Yvonne, 38, said: “She battled and battled and battled. She was very strong and very positive, right through the illness, and she wanted to make people aware of the cancer.
“She had made a network of friends that suffered as well and spoke to people worldwide in support groups, and even in the hospital.
“Even though she was suffering, she wanted to give them support and give them more strength.”
Husband Paul, a former member of The Black Watch, said: “She spoke to sick kids at the children’s hospital in Edinburgh in 2011, when she was in remission.
“Pauline was in there for hours talking to them, and gave a lot of the children hope as well.”
Pauline was born in Carnoustie and met Paul in 1996 before they married in 1998. The couple moved to Inverness for three years while Paul was in the army, before moving back to Arbroath.
Pauline has left behind three children Amy, 22, Chloe, 15, and 12-year-old Sam.
During her treatment the former Carnoustie High School pupil had raised funds for Ward 34 at Ninewells, where she was being treated, holding a party in August to collect money.