Sadly, a gifted Edinburgh vocalist who previously dazzled Simon Cowell and Cheryl Tweedy with her audition on X Factor has died at the age of just 36.
Just four weeks after celebrating her first wedding anniversary, Stephanie Ternent Reid passed away on Monday morning after complaining of feeling ill over the weekend.
The loving mother of two was a well-liked employee of Hibernian Football Club, where she worked as a match day receptionist and owned her own prosperous company, Scent With Love.
Edinburgh native Stephanie was a gifted vocalist who performed hundreds of times at places across the city and frequently shared her performances on social media. When she tried out for the TV talent show in front of 5,000 people at Wembley Arena in 2015, she made an impression on judges Cheryl and Simon of X Factor.
However, producers later let her down after acknowledging that too many acts had been sent through, even though she had been informed that she had advanced to the boot camp stage.
After the shocking news of her death this week, hundreds of heartfelt condolences from friends and family, including one from employers Hibernian FC, have been pouring in.
“My world came crashing down around me yesterday morning along with a shattered heart broken into a million pieces that can never be repaired,” Julie Reid, Stephanie’s distraught mother, wrote on social media. Since my lovely, sweet baby suddenly received her angel wings, heartbreak is not even near to how I feel.
“I never in a million years imagined that I would have to write a piece like this. I will give your two adorable children my all, and I will love and care for them as much as you loved every single bone in your body. My dear daughter, I don’t know how to live without you.
I am honoured to name you my daughter because you were the most kind, loving, and compassionate person to ever inhabit this planet. My life will never be the same, but I can assure you that your children will understand how wonderful and devoted their lovely mother was.
“I cannot express how devastated I am to have lost my lovely cousin yesterday,” a family member said. You were the life of the party, and I hope you realise how much you were loved by everyone.
“Without you, life will never be the same, but we will all do our best for your lovely kids. I will always adore you, and words cannot express how devastated I am to have lost my lovely cousin yesterday.
“From childhood to adulthood friends [and] family, I truly don’t have the words to express how heartbroken I am,” a long-time friend continued. You have acquired your heavenly wings and departed from this planet far too soon. I’m sending your mother and your entire family my undying love.
“Life is so precious, so live each day as if it were your last because you never know when it will end.”
“Everyone at Hibernian FC is deeply saddened to learn of Stephanie Reid’s passing,” a representative for the Hibernian Football Club stated. Stephanie was always vivacious, amiable, and supportive, and she was a cherished member of the Hibernian FC match day team.
“Everyone at the Football Club is thinking of her family and friends during this extremely trying time, and she will be sorely missed.”
Stephanie’s husband Ryan and their two young children survive her. Stephanie went to Boroughmuir High School in the capital.
