Mum of teenager Bailey Matheson Munro who died at home at MacLennan Crescent in Inverness last month speaks of her heartbreak as friends and family unite to pay tribute to a much-loved boy renowned for his sense of fun, sunglasses and smiles
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A grieving mum has described how her heart is breaking after the death of her much-loved teenage son.
Michelle Munro led tributes to Bailey Matheson Munro (17), who she said was a bright, energetic and loving young man with “so much to look forward to”.
The Inverness High School pupil had just completed fifth year and was hoping to study law at Aberdeen University.
He fell ill at home in MacLennan Crescent, Inverness, early on July 21. Emergency services attended, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. The teen was laid to rest at Kilvean Cemetery on Thursday last week, with the death currently being treated as “unexplained”.
Friends and family – including dad Stephen Matheson, of Grantown-on-Spey – were keen to celebrate Bailey’s life.
The youngster was extremely popular among fellow students and adored by friends for his sense of fun, mischief and kindness.
He was described as “sassy, loud and extremely confident” and the “life and soul of any party, always smiling”. Speaking for the first time about her loss, Ms Munro said she still found it hard to believe Bailey was gone.
“My heart is breaking so badly right now, “ she said. “I’m just numb and I’m never going to be the same.
“Bailey had so much to look forward to and there was never a dull moment when he was around.”
She said she drew comfort from hundreds of messages of love on social media, and in a special memorial book, but found it hard to put into words just how much she would miss seeing her son’s smile every day.
To express her love, she had written a note to place with him.
“I’m just so glad we had such a special bond and I’m glad of all the photos, the videos and memories we have,” she said.
A Gofundme page created to support the family raised almost £4500 in a matter of days.
At last week’s funeral the celebrant read movingly from a poem chosen by the family, Gone Too Soon by Stephen Meara-Blount.
Bailey was born on October 15, 2004, a twin brother to Taylor.
He is also survived by older sister and brother Courtney (25) and Keiran (24), and little sister Ruby (6), daughter to Stephen and stepmum Debbie.
Bailey also loved spending time with his only nephew Callum (6).
He attended Merkinch Primary, before settling in Grantown’s primary for four years while living with Stephen and Debbie.
“Bailey was just a character and a half, full of life, fun and a fair bit of mischief, but in a good way,” Mr Matheson said.
“When he lived with us, my wife Debbie loved him as her own and his little sister Ruby misses him so much.”
Bailey excelled at swimming and cheerleading, winning prizes in both, and clever at school he was often the first person friends turned to for help.
He had big ambitions and, inspired by the TV series Suits, wanted to become a family lawyer. At the time of his death he was awaiting his Higher results, while working part-time as a supervisor in Zizzi’s restaurant.
Close friend Erin Macdonald, who hoped to attend university with him, described some of the mischief she and her “soul-mate and evil twin” got up to.
She said Bailey, with his trademark skin-tight jeans and sunglasses, was “the most spontaneous person I’ve ever met… always happy, always up for something… the campest, sassiest boy with the biggest heart of gold.”
Another friend, Mya Cruick, said: “In his short life, he made so many people smile. He was always so positive and you hardly ever saw him on a down day.
“He fought for what he believed in and loved like no-one else, one of the most caring people ever.
“Bailey was just the best part of my school day.”
