Living the dream/dying with dignity

Donation protected
This is for everyone with a dream and a desire to support a life well lived - dedicated to the fulfillment of dreams!! 


Hi there! This a fundraiser for our mom and grandma.

I'm Melissa (daughter) living in the Chicago area, visiting my mom often (3 days a week) in her retirement community in Northwest Indiana. Oona lives in Ireland and visits/skypes/talks on the phone regularly bringing delight to grandma's heart.

The funds will be used to help pay Mona's rent at the Rittenhouse retirement center in Portage, Indiana. Taking early Social Security as my folks did, is just not enough money to live on these days. Her monthly rent is $2,000 and her income is a bit more than $800 a month. After selling the family home, paying past debt and lots of deferred medical attention, Mona had enough funds to get through almost 2 years.  That 2 year mark is just about up, time is running out as is her bank account.

Oh and maybe you're wondering why I'm not able to pay all her bills? My kids are grown now, yet as a single mom with a modest income I'm not in the financial position to pick up all the slack.

The funds will go directly into my moms account and will then go right to Rittenhouse retirement center.

Most everyone has a difficult time asking for money and that's why I'm doing this for my mom. She brought so much joy to so many people throughout her long life - I'm inviting others to shine a little light on her during her last few years.



Here's Mona's story:

Mona McCall & Johnny Matson performed and brought delight into the hearts of millions throughout their long career in showbiz.

They were the toast of post war Europe - back in the 1950’s - touring in the Vaudeville show of Tessie O'Shea.

Back in the States throughout the 60’s and 70's Johnny & Mona worked with tons of fabulous performers like Johnny Cash & June Carter, The Supreme’s, Roger Miller, Sammy Davis Jr - the list goes on and on - It's a surprise they aren't household names like their fellow performers.

In the 1980's they were slowing down and performing less - booking acts like 'Ziggy the Water Skiing Squirrel' and 'Donkey Races' at county fairs.

By the end of the 90's, Johnny & Mona had pretty much retired - except for singing in the church choir and working with various charities in their home town in Northwest Indiana.

Mona's passion has always been to sing, never veering from her soul's desire. As a child she sang in the church choir and today at almost 90 she sings in church and in the senior center choir!

A few years ago when Johnny died, Mona was left with minimal Social Security income and an empty savings account with no idea how to pull the loose ends together. 

Selling the family home helped for about almost 2 years, sadly those funds are now pretty much dried up.

This is where your love of freedom to express the soul’s desire and appreciation for the old days of Vaudeville comes in!


I've begun this gofundme campaign for my mom, Mona. 

We are asking for your loving financial support to help so that she live out the rest of her colorful life with dignity and Joy.

Enjoy this short film  and please consider giving what you can - every amount helps!


Thank you for your generosity!

With Grit &Gratitude,

Melissa and Oona
Donate

Donations 

  • P Lyon
    • $250
    • 6 yrs
Donate

Organizer

Melissa Matson
Organizer
Evanston, IL

Your easy, powerful, and trusted home for help

  • Easy

    Donate quickly and easily

  • Powerful

    Send help right to the people and causes you care about

  • Trusted

    Your donation is protected by the GoFundMe Giving Guarantee