A TOUCHING tribute has been paid to a much-missed Greenock mum who bravely battled kidney disease and tragically passed away while awaiting a new liver.

Janice McFadyen sadly died in October at the age of 60, leaving her friends and family devastated.

She had been living with polycystic kidney disease and went to Inverclyde Royal for dialysis three times a week.

In 2014, Janice had a kidney transplant and was enjoying living life to the full.

But after seven years, the disease reached her liver and she was on the liver transplant list when she passed away.

To pay tribute to Janice and thank the renal unit at Inverclyde Royal Hospital, her devoted friends and family have been fundraising since her passing.

Donations through a JustGiving page, from firms Diodes and Vascutek, and a charity quiz night at St Francis' Church hall - organised by her close friends Tricia and Danni - helped raise the terrific total of £5,000.

Janice leaves behind children Debbie, Stephen, Scott and Christina, and husband of 30 years, Stephen.

One of her best pals, Gillian Gillespie, said family and friends will continue to support the Inverclyde Royal unit in any way they can in memory of Janice.

She added: "Janice was a very loyal friend and was the strongest person I've ever known.

"She started fundraising years ago and we want to continue that.

"The people in the dialysis unit in Inverclyde helped Janice get through a tough time.

"The staff always supported her and the other patients, and the patients supported each other."

Debbie added: "We all want to say thank-you to staff at Inverclyde Royal and the renal unit for everything they did for my mum."

Professor Colin Geddes, consultant in the renal unit at IRH, says the money will make a huge difference to the department.

He added: "We all looked after Janice and were very fond of her.

"We knew her for many years.

"We're extremely grateful to her family for raising this money.

"It will be put to good use in helping patients."

Mun Woo, associate specialist in the renal unit, added: "This is an amazing amount for the unit and we're so grateful."

Born and brought up in Greenock, Janice worked for National Semiconductor for more than 30 years and that's where she met her husband Stephen.

She then worked for Diodes' predecessors Texas Instruments for a time but had to leave due to illness while she was on dialysis waiting for a transplant.

Even when she was dealing with her kidney treatment, Janice took time to fundraise to express her thanks to the hospital.

She and Stephen asked for donations instead of gifts at their 25th wedding anniversary party.

As a keen crafter, she would also make wedding stationery and cards and donate her creations to raffles to raise funds.

Janice's daughter Debbie said even in the face of her mum's challenges, she was always thinking about others.

She added: "My mum was really creative and handy and was always involved in sewing projects.

"She also joined a polycystic kidney disease support group to share her experiences with people who were worried about their own health.

"She was able to talk to people about it as she knew exactly what they were going through."

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IN LOVING MEMORY Gillian Gillespie, Janice's son Stephen, Professor Colin Geddes, Mun Woo, associate specialist in the renal unit, and charge nurse Sharon Meade.