Edinburgh woman Margaret Whelan, 24, dies just weeks after mother's death from lung cancer

Margaret, 24, died just weeks after she lost her mother Helen to lung cancer

An Edinburgh woman who died suddenly in her sleep aged just 24 has been described by her family as “a quiet girl with a heart of gold and so much love to give”.

Margaret Whelan, who lived in Leith, died on April 21 after a seven-year battle with Crohn’s disease. Her aunty, Michelle Callan, said she had been left devastated by her niece’s death, which came just weeks after Margaret’s mother - and Michelle’s sister - Helen died of stage four lung cancer. The cancer had spread to 52-year-old Helen’s esophagus, meaning she couldn’t undergo chemotherapy or radiotherapy. She died peacefully at around 4am on March 25.

Michelle described Margaret as an “angel” who “put everyone over and above herself”. “She was a quiet girl that had a heart of gold, as well as so much love to give, especially her cats Tia and Roxy,” said the 43-year-old from Edinburgh. “The love that she had to give was amazing, even by the hospital bed she was always buying gifts for my children. Her life was taken far too soon, she still had kids and marriage to go in her future, it’s so unbelievably unfair.”

Margaret Whelan with her brother Michael

She added that, despite living with Crohn’s disease for almost a decade and battling severe flare ups and long hospital stays, Margaret had “given up” following the death of her mother. She died just two days after Helen’s funeral was held.

Michelle said: “Margaret was devastated when her mum died. I think she had enough fighting and was just waiting to watch her mum’s funeral so she could then pass peacefully." She added: “It was heartbreaking. Their mother and daughter relationship was amazing, they were always there for each other and giggling together. I am just happy that they are back together in peace.”

Michelle is now fundraising to help give Margaret “the send off she deserves”. She has set up a GoFundMe page which has raised more than £1,000. “I set up a fundraiser to help my nephew Michael cover the costs of both his mother and now Margaret’s funeral,” she said. “Michael's distraught and it's just after his mum's funeral, so I wanted to help raise some money for the funeral costs.”