Family pays tribute to ‘inspiring’ nursing student as they accept her posthumous degree
Posted 09 December 2016 - 08:36
The family of a nursing student who died earlier this year have paid tribute to their ‘inspiring and caring’ daughter as they accepted her degree
of Robert Gordon University Sir Ian Wood.
Leanne McDonald, who died in a car crash in July, was honoured at a graduation ceremony, alongside classmates from Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen.
The 21-year-old, from Montrose, had been in her final months of training for a BA in children and young people’s nursing and had already secured a job offer from the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow.
Her older brother Lyle accepted her degree at the graduation ceremony at Aberdeen’s Beach Ballroom on 7 December, while parents John and Audrey looked on.
Leanne’s parents said their daughter would have made an incredible nurse.
Caring nature
Mr McDonald said: ‘Leanne always had a love of children to go along with her caring and thoughtful nature.
‘Even from an early age she said she wanted to be a nurse, so she could care for sick people.
‘It didn’t come as a surprise to any of us when she started training and it was an absolute passion for her. She would tell us how much she particularly enjoyed her placements to the sick children’s hospital and how important an experience that was for her.’
Her mother said Leanne’s caring nature made her step up to any situation when someone was ill or in distress.
Pursuing her dream
She said: ‘I remember when a younger school friend had a fit during an assembly and Leanne took control of the situation in front of everyone, which was appreciated by all of the teachers and the girl’s mother.
‘She would look after her friends on nights out, make sure a diabetic friend was okay and once checked on a man who she thought was having a heart attack. Leanne was always there for anyone who needed help.’
Her parents added: ‘This graduation means a great deal to all of us. Leanne was a clever girl who worked hard to get into university, so she could pursue her dream profession.
‘We were extremely proud of how she dealt with university life and the effort she put in throughout her degree.
‘It means the world to us that this is being recognised.’
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