A much-loved mum-of-four and student midwife who inspired thousands by documenting her leukaemia battle has died unexpectedly in her sleep.
Michelle Donnelly, from Glasgow, openly shared the realities of balancing cancer treatment with family life and her studies, with her videos attracting 1.3 million likes.
She was remembered as an “incredible wife, mum, daughter, sister and friend” whose strength, kindness and determination touched people both online and in her local community.
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Michelle had been fighting acute lymphoblastic leukaemia – known as ALL – and had recently returned to university after doing well during treatment, as reported by Need To Know.
But she passed away peacefully in her sleep last week, leaving behind her devastated husband, Ryan, and their four children Poppy, Rosie, Benny, and Teddy.
Her death came just days after she proudly completed a six-week university placement while continuing to undergo chemotherapy.
Her family said the tragedy had come as a “complete shock” because Michelle had been doing so well and had so much to look forward to.
Just weeks before her death, Michelle had proudly announced that she had completed her placement and 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.”
Michelle studied at the University of the West of Scotland and described herself online as a “busy working mum and student midwife”.
Her videos amassed 1.3 million likes as she openly documented family life, her studies and cancer treatment.
Ryan shared the devastating news in an emotional tribute to his wife.
He wrote: “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 said he took comfort from believing Michelle had been reunited with their late baby son, Archie.
He added: “My comfort is she will be up in heaven looking after our baby boy Archie.”
A tribute from Glasgow photography business K&K Studio & Events described Michelle as “so young” and “so strong”.
It said: “Our hearts are aching at the tragic loss of beautiful Michelle Donnelly.”
A GoFundMe has been launched on behalf of Michelle’s family to support Ryan and the children.
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.”
The appeal has raised more than £28,000 of its £40,000 target through around 1,100 donations.
Michelle’s TikTok followers also paid tribute to Michelle.
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.” [SIC]
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.”
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