On Sunday, June 9, 2024, Mackenzie Homer passed away at the young age of 34, leaving behind four children; Cheyenne, (15) Mariella, (6) Weston, (4) and Theo (18 months). Mackenzie was a loving mother who was patient, kind, nurturing, and found happiness every day with her oldest daughter and three babies.

Over the last year, Mackenzie was happily focused on her weight loss journey after undergoing gastric bypass surgery in October 2023. She was excited and proud as she continued to see positive results, and was dedicated to her journey towards wellness and health. This was interrupted in March of 2024 when her boyfriend and partner of nearly 17 years found Mackenzie in the early morning hours behaving bizarrely, disoriented, and completely nonverbal to any questions or commands. She was taken to a local hospital via EMS and transferred via helicopter to another hospital as she required a higher level of care.

After a period of being sedated, intubated, and undergoing spinal taps and other extensive testing, it was discovered that she was suffering from meningitis and had subsequently suffered a stroke. The family was panicked and afraid, but within days she began to slowly show improvements after receiving high doses of antibiotics. Her cognitive faculties and physical movement and coordination improved with physical therapy and a great team of doctors. She continued to receive IV antibiotics and ultimately made a full recovery. Mackenzie had no recollection of the moments at her house prior to going in the ambulance, and upon her release from __ weeks in the hospital, she was so grateful to be alive and home with her children.

For 6 weeks after being released from this frightening hospitalization, she was home and continued with IV antibiotics through a PIC line, maintaining each and every medical appointment she had. She had goals of pursuing a career in the medical field as an Occupational Therapist so that she could help others the way the medical team had recently helped her.

With improvement and no symptoms or concerns, the providers removed the PIC line and stopped the antibiotics, determining that she was healthy. She went two weeks without receiving the antibiotics until her partner was forced to call EMS again as Mackenzie complained of a headache, began vomiting, and showed signs of confusion. She was taken late at night to the ER and this time she was sedated, intubated, and admitted into ICU very shortly after being brought to the Emergency Department and given an extremely poor prognosis. She never had a chance to tell her children goodbye.

The antibiotics did not reduce the swelling and inflammation this time, and the meningitis had significantly affected the primitive part of her brain- the brain stem. While doctors did mention previously that she may have had contact with West Nile, it is still such a shock and senseless tragedy that she would leave this earth after battling another episode with meningitis which is rare and uncommon in itself.

After just six days on life support, Mackenzie left this earth, her family and most devastating of all-- her children. Her oldest children Cheyenne, Mariella, and Weston said goodbye to their mommy in the hospital, but never got to hug her, look in her eyes, or hear her voice again. She was abruptly taken from their lives and the purpose of this GoFundMe is to help assist in expenses relating to food, clothing, and any other area that can improve the children's quality of life now and in the future as they learn to adjust to life without their mother. Mackenzie was a stay-at-home mother who selflessly attended to the needs of her children on all levels. Mackenzie's partner and children's father is now alone with the responsibility of the three young children as well as the financial expenses. He is currently out of work and home with the children as they grieve and adjust. Losing a parent at such a young age will impact the children for the rest of their lives. Any help will be so appreciated through this tragic time. She will be so deeply missed, and we are thankful for any donation, help, or prayer that is made in honor of Mackenzie and these four beautiful and innocent children. Thank you so much and God Bless.