Tragic cancer woman had '˜a passion for life'

Tributes have been paid to young Drumahoe woman Leona Reid who passed away following a battle with cancer on Friday.
Leona ReidLeona Reid
Leona Reid

The 22-year-old had been studying at Dundee University prior to her diagnosis with non-Hodgkin lymphoma last September.

The former Foyle and Londonderry College pupil was fashion editor and deputy editor of Dundee University’s Magdalen magazine and began blogging at https://leonaelizabethblog.wordpress.com/ earlier this year.

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Dominic Younger, of the Dundee University Students’ Association, said: “As her own blog stated, Leona was ‘a girl with a passion for life and all things beautiful’.

“She was a truly gifted student and through her time as fashion editor and then deputy editor of our sister publication the Magdalen, she brought endless fun and wit to her peers.”

On January 8, referring to her battle with cancer, Leona wrote on her blog: “Long story short, I was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in September and after countless complications and difficult decisions, I have been switched to a different type of chemotherapy. It may or may not work but we continue to live in hope.

“You may think now an odd time to begin such an endeavour as a blog, but there’s no time like the present and this is something I’ve wanted to do for quite a while now. No one can be entirely certain of what the next few months hold for me, but the loving support of my family and friends combined with my faith in God is enough to help me take each day as it comes.”

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Leona is survived by her parents Stephen and Janice and her brother Craig. Her funeral will take place tomorrow at Roselawn Crematorium following a service of thanksgiving in Ebrington Presbyterian Church.