First Minister John Swinney has led tribute following the death of drugs and alcohol minister Christina McKelvie - describing her as a "kind, loyal and fun-loving colleague".
McKelvie stepped back from her duties last summer after revealing she was battling secondary breast cancer.
She passed away at the age of 57 on Thursday morning at Glasgow Royal Infirmary.
Her partner, SNP depute leader Keith Brown, said the mother-of-two and grandmother "lit up every room she was in with her positivity and bright smile", the BBC reports.
Ahead of a solemn and emotional FMQs, Swinney told MSPs: "Members across this parliament will feel that loss, but my party is aching at the news today.
"Christina was a parliamentarian of the highest motivation and the finest nature, I was proud that she was a member of my government, giving her all to make life better for others, which was always her motivation."
He added: "Today, I express to her partner - my deputy, one of my dearest friends - and to her sons Jack and Lewis, my profound sympathy at their loss and my gratitude for the benefit of having known such a magnificent woman."