Mel (Mary Ellen ) Farrell was a beloved friend of mine. I mourned deeply when we lost her to brain cancer last fall, as so many others did. I knew how much she adored her two children, Matt and DeDe. I loved to watch her face light up when she talked about them. The last time I sat with her, a few weeks before her death, she smiled happily as she updated me on their lives.
On Sunday, June 12, 2016 at 2:30 in the morning, Mel's beloved son Matthew was shot dead by his father. Despite the devastating grief we all feel, what concerns me the most right now, as I think it does for anyone who loved Mel, or Matt, is his sister DeDe. 
DeDe recently relocated to Seattle with her partner Katy, and started a new job. She has no health insurance. She can ill afford the expenses that are looming ahead of her. 
I imagine many of you, like myself, feel helpless in the face of this tragedy. The only thing most of us are able to do is support her financially. She needs money to cover Matt's funeral expenses, the expenses associated with dealing with his estate and the travel and time that will incur. She wants to move ahead with counseling to help her get through this, and without health insurance that isn't cheap. I know we all deal with a certain level of tragedy in our lives but this is a nightmare beyond most of our imaginations, and she needs us.

I know I sound grim right now, but at a future time, when DeDe is ready and able, she will plan a memorial for Matt. At that point,  we can truly celebrate Matt's incredible generosity of spirit, talent, humor, sweetness and friendship. Right now we need to work to get there. We need to show DeDe our love for Matt, for Mel, and for her.  We must do this in their honor.

If you are able, please donate and share this. I thank you with all my heart.
DeDe at Bacaro with Matt last fall

All funds raised (less Go Fund Me fees) will go to DeDe Farrell to be used at her discretion. This will include funeral, travel, personal, healthcare, memorial, and living expenses. For those of you who would prefer not to donate through this site, checks can be dropped off, or sent to, the Matthew and DeDe Farrell Fund c/o Busey Bank, 100 W. University, Champaign, IL, 61820. There are no fees associated with the Busey account and all funds will go to DeDe to be used as she needs.