Michelle Donnelly, a much-loved mum-of-four and student midwife from Glasgow, has died unexpectedly in her sleep. She had been documenting her battle with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia online, amassing 1.3 million likes on her videos.
A warrior’s journey
Michelle was balancing cancer treatment with family life and her studies at the University of the West of Scotland. She had recently returned to university after doing well during treatment and proudly completed a six-week placement while continuing chemotherapy. Just weeks before her death, she announced she had passed the first year of her midwifery degree.
She wrote: "Six weeks of placement done. Honestly can't believe I have made it through the last six weeks while still having chemotherapy. I won't lie, I underestimated just how challenging it would be but I've done it and I am proud to say I have passed and finally completed 1st year of my Midwifery degree. This was me my first day back, very nervous and anxious but I can't honestly say I have loved this placement and everyone made me feel so welcomed."
Tributes and fundraising
Michelle is survived by her husband Ryan and their four children Poppy, Rosie, Benny, and Teddy. Ryan shared the devastating news in an emotional tribute: "Woke up this morning hoping it was all just a nightmare but my beautiful wife and the most incredible mum to our four amazing children passed away peacefully and unexpectedly in her sleep yesterday morning. Words can't describe how heartbroken we all are as a family. Michelle was the rock to the full family. She was such a warrior to go through what she did. We had so many plans for the future with our amazing kids and now our hearts are all in pieces."
Ryan also said he took comfort from believing Michelle had been reunited with their late baby son, Archie: "My comfort is she will be up in heaven looking after our baby boy Archie."
Community support
A tribute from Glasgow photography business K&K Studio & Events described Michelle as "so young" and "so strong", adding: "Our hearts are aching at the tragic loss of beautiful Michelle Donnelly."
A GoFundMe launched to support Ryan and the children has raised more than £28,000 of its £40,000 target through around 1,100 donations. Organisers said: "As many of you know, Michelle fought leukaemia with unbelievable strength and determination. She had been doing so well and had recently returned to university, proudly completing her last placement. She had so much to look forward to, which makes this loss even more heartbreaking. Sadly, Michelle passed away peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday night. Her passing has come as a complete shock and her family, friends and everyone who knew and loved her are absolutely devastated."
Michelle’s TikTok followers also paid tribute. One person said: "Absolutely heartbreaking, I watched her videos all the time and was in awe of her strength, what a wonderful woman she was, I know she will be so terribly missed by you all." In a response posted through Michelle’s account, her family said: "We have read everyone's kind comments, we are just so overwhelmed to write back. Everyone is truly so kind. Keep us in your thoughts, stay strong for her. Lots of love from Ryan and the kids, and family."
