In loving memory of my little brother Shawn McDonald, I’ve launched a GoFundMe page to help cover his funeral expenses.
honor-shawn-mcdonalds-memory
Shawn‘s Journey didn’t include a life insurance policy, leaving his family with substantial costs, including a burial plot at Saint Mary’s Catholic Cemetery of Urbana, a gravestone, and funeral expenses totaling over $10,000 at MURDOCH Funeral Home in Center Point, Iowa, where a beautiful service was held. The initial goal was $4500 for his gravestone, which remains unpaid. Every contribution counts, and I’m grateful for any amount you can give. If you’re unable to donate please share this message to spread the word and help us gather more support. Your kindness would mean the world to us during this challenging time.
As I reflect on Shawn‘s life, I’d like to share an uplifting memory from a young lady who wrote in the funeral homes guest book, highlighting the profound impact Shawn left on those around him. Among many touching tributes, one reflection stood out – a powerful celebration of Shawn‘s unbeatable spirit.
~”I met Shawn 19 years ago when we both started at Yellow Book on the same day, in the same training class, doing the same job. He reminded me so much of my younger brother, and whether he wanted to or not, he became my brother from another mother. He was quiet, but if you got him talking about food, forget about it. He had so many plans and ideas when it came to cooking. He was fun to hang with and we went to hockey games, indoor soccer, concerts, and of course, restaurants. He was the kind of guy that after working all day, would come out and help his friends unload a moving truck until 1 AM in the morning– thank goodness! We hadn’t talked since just before Christmas, and I am sorry I didn’t reach out more often. I will miss him more than I can say.” Deb S.~
Shawn embodied enthusiasm, inspiring others with his devotion to friends and family. His love for music became his soundtrack, leading him to master various instruments, form his own band, and perform with nationally acclaimed music ensembles. As a standout student recognized in “Who’s Who Among American High School Students.” Shawn‘s academic excellence, paved his path from College Community High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to the College Of The Ozarks in Missouri, and eventually to Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. Through his journey in fine dining, Shawn cultivated a passion for continental cuisine, working alongside country, music stars as a sous chef, and ultimately found joy in serving the elderly at Grand Living at Indian Creek in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, pouring his heart into every meal he prepared. Shawn shall eternally be withinour hearts and I am incredibly proud to have called him my “little brother.”
I Love You Shawn
Organizer
