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Tributes following death of Inverness Cathedral café manager (32)


By Louise Glen

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Andrea MacDonald.
Andrea MacDonald.

THE manager of the café at Inverness Cathedral has died suddenly in her sleep aged just 32.

Shocked family and friends today paid tribute to Andrea MacDonald, who was described as a “rare gem with a heart of gold”.

Andrea, whose family are from Fort William, rose through the ranks at the social enterprise café to become its popular manager.

She was especially well-known for her celebration cakes at cathedral events, alongside her dedication to her job and the café’s work in the community.

Last Christmas she planned and oversaw the Christmas meal in the cathedral for more than 100 people before heading to her own family Christmas in Fort William.

Her mum Allison MacDonald said the family was heartbroken at the loss of “our beautiful daughter.”

Mrs MacDonald said: “All we can say at the moment is that she was absolutely loved in every way and our lives have changed forever.

“We loved her with all our hearts. Her brother and two sisters are broken, as we all are.

“She brought so much to our lives, she was always the one who kept the siblings in check with her wise words. We are heartbroken.”

The cause of the death had still not been established.

Mrs MacDonald said that Andrea was particularly close to her nine-year-old niece Niamh. “Andrea was a huge part of her life,” she said.

Ley-Anne Forsyth, one of the trustees of Inverness Cathedral, said: “Andrea was a wonderful, caring individual who was dedicated to the cathedral and the café.

“She took great pride in her work and had a deep understanding of the connection between the cathedral and the ethos and work of the café as a social enterprise.

“She was a wonderful baker whose celebration cakes were a staple at all of our events.

“It is difficult to express just how much Andrea will be missed, she was a rare gem with a heart of gold and we count ourselves lucky to have known and worked with her.”

Her colleagues at the cathedral café posted on social media: “All of our customers we know will miss her kind, attentive and warm welcome to our café.

“We will continue to open the café but ask that you bear with us while we come to terms with our grief.”

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