Matt Donnelly Obituary

To the Donnelly Family,
I have fond memories of growing up a few houses up the street from Doug and Matt. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this sad time.

Dear Debbie and Steve,
Andrew's friendship with Matt began at Esther Jackson and continued through all three schools and baseball at the Rec. We loved having Matt at our home. He and Andrew's antics would keep us laughing (and on our toes). We were amazed at how this comical, carefree kid could become quite a demon on the baseball field. He was a powerhouse that we always hoped would be on the same team as Andrew. Debbie, we spent many an evening sitting in the stands together and I think fondly of those times.

Our heart goes out to the entire Donnelly family. We will always remember the fun, kind, competitive kid that Andrew was so lucky to call friend. We have since moved to Williamsburg, Va (and Debbie I work in New Orleans where I remember you have family), but we would love to reconnect with you.

With loving prayers,
The Menaquale Family
Steve, Sandy, Laura, Stephen, and Andrew

Steve, Doug & Deb:

You guys are in my prayers and I think of you often. Please turn to God when you need comfort as He is there for you.

Love,
Suzette & Fadi Malouf

Steve,
Words can not express - but know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. I am so sorry for your loss.
Denise and Brad Rosenkampff

Dear Steve, Debbie, and Doug,
We are deeply saddened by the news about Matt. I still have fond memories of the boys playing sports together, and of course, all our Boy Scout adventures. Matt was a great son who had a terrific personality and a gift for sports. My heart breaks for you as you go through these very difficult days. Please know that Matt and your family are in our prayers, and may God comfort you during this tragic time.
With deepest sympathy
Mimi and Christopher Szutz

Dear Steve and Family:
We are so sorry for your loss. Please know that your family will be in our daily thoughts and prayers. If you need anything, please contact us. God Bless!!

Debbie,
I am so sorry for your loss. Please know that I am praying for you and your family. God will give you the strength to get through this.
Pam Hortman McGovern

Dear Debbie, Steve and Doug,
We are all so very sorry to hear about Matt. We pray that God will give you strength during this very difficult time, and hope that your memories will give you peace. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Please let us know if there is anything we can do, anything at all.

Dear Steve, Debbie and Doug,

You all do not know me but I am a neighbor in The Preserve at Nesbit Ferry. I heard the news of Matt Sunday night and I just want you all to know I'm so sorry for your loss. I will continue to keep you all in my thoughts and prayers in the days ahead.

May God Bless You,

Shanny, we know how much you loved Matt. You always spoke of him in such a loving way. You are in our prayers. Love, Merlin, Eleanor, David, Damon and Nikki Duke.

Dear Steve,

Please know that your friends are standing with you during this very sad time. You are a wonderful Dad.

Please accept our most sincere thoughts and prayers during this dreadful time.

Sincerely,
John and Susan Corcoran

Dear
Debbie, Steve, Doug and Family,
We are just heartbroken to hear of your loss. We will always remember
Matt's smiling face and all the fun times we had. He was such a dear
sweet boy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and if there is
anything at all we can do to help, please let us know.

Donnelly Family - I was stunned to hear of your tragic loss. I am in Texas with my family and unfortunately I will not be able to come to visitation/funeral. Please know that the family is in my thoughts and prayers. Gosh! Matt was such a great kid - full of spunk and energy. It is hard to believe that his life was cut short. As you know I loved having Matt (and Doug) in my classroom. They were both great boys with amazing potential. Have Doug drop me an email at the school some time - I'd love to know how he is. I am still stunned...I hope you know that many are praying for you...

Debbie, Steve and Doug,
Baseball tied so many friendships and memories. Matt was such a great guy and we are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you now and always. Please know we are here for you.

Love,
Gareth, Brenda, Dustin Bevard. Tiffany and Kevin Dillard

Dear Ms. Debbie, Mr. Steve, and Doug:

I feel very honored to have had the chance to know the real Matt. He was one of my dearest friends. The inside jokes, funny faces, and special moments we shared are so precious to me. He was always there for me when I needed him most. He was a very loyal and kind friend. Matt always stood up for the people he loved. He was fierce when he had to be. He was charming and playful. You couldn't help but love Matt! He could talk anybody into anything! Matt always had a sarcastic comment to lighten any mood. He had such a major impact on my life I occasionally catch myself saying something Matt would say. I love that. He was also very polite; he was the kind of man who always opened doors for ladies. He never let me pump my own gas. It would be impossible for me to forget Matt. He was more than a friend, he was my brother. I know he's watching over us now and when things get hard he's going to find some way to make us laugh. That was just his style.

I First met Matt in '93 when he became friends with my son Nathan Kloos. Matt and Nathan became fast friends and spent lots of time at both our homes. Nathan still talks about the times spent jumping on the trampoline at Matts house.

Nathan and his brother Justin and myself are shocked and saddened at your loss. Matt was a great kid. Always looked me in the eye, was very respectfull and a good friend to my son Nathan.

He will be deeply missed.

Debbie, just heard about your terrible loss. my heart goes out to u and ur family, I called leo and told his wife to tell him. luv ya, eddie benard

Debbie, Steve, Doug, and Shanny: Please know that we are holding you close to our hearts in this sad time. Even though we have not seen you in a long time, I will always remember how precious and fun-loving Douglas and Matthew were as young boys. May God bless you and give you strength.

Steve, Debbie and Douglas,
Please accept our sincere sympathy at the news of Matt's death. Jeff, Lauren and I were so very saddened to hear of this sad event. We hope that you will find comfort in your memories of your wonderful son.
Deepest sympathy,
Cathy, Lauren and Jeff Robinson

Debbie,
I'm so sorry for your loss. Though I don't think I had ever met Matt, I know that he came from a wonderful family and had to have been a splendid child. My deepest sympathy goes to you and your family and you are in our prayers.
Cathy (Garrett) and Clifton Olsen
Bogalusa, LA

Debbie our heart goes out to you. Just know that we are thinking and praying for you and your family in this tough time. With all our best-

To Debbie, Steve, Doug, Shanny, Dean, and family...
Our hearts are so sad at the loss of Matt. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers at this sad time in your lives.

With Love, the PLANCHE FAMILY,
Janet, David, Patrick, Connie, Lauren and Mary Kay

We only knew Matt a short time by way of our daughter Brie. We know how much she loved and valued him as a friend and how many times he stood ready to lend a helping hand, whether it was moving again or assembling a dresser! He came to our home in the "boondocks" and was such a well mannered and precious young man. We know Brie and the group of friends were blessed and fortunate to have Matt share their lives and experiences and he will live forever in their hearts.

Steve and Debbie: Please accept my deepest condolences at the loss of your beloved Matt. I will always remember his competivness on the field, and his determination to be better. I truly enjoyed coaching him and am saddened by the fact that we have lost him so very young.
Please know that all of you are in my thoughts and prayers during this time of sorrow.
Coach Vic Gallardo

To the Donnelly Family,
My sincerest condolences. What a wonderful person Matt was, and he will be missed. May God be with you at this most difficult time... our thoughts and prayers are with you and yours.

Steve, Debbie & Doug,

Know that our prays are with you during this very challenging time. Matt was a beautiful child and as I reflect on the various things that he said when he was at our house it comes with a remembered chuckle at his spunky personality. We are so sorry that he has left us at such a young age. As you recall the many fun times of his life may they warm your heart and comfort your soul.
Mary Trapp & Ricky Jones

To Debbie, Steve and Doug - the years have gone by since we've been in each others lives but the memories will forever stay sweet when our boys were growing up together. Words cannot express how our hearts break for your family at this time. Tony, Nick and I saw Matt earlier this year in a waiting room and had a good laugh with each other. Please know that you are all in our prayers and that we are here for you when you need us. May God hold Matt in his loving arms for eternity.
With deepest sympathy,
Bunnie, Tony, Nick & Michael Emanuel

Matt I haven't kept intouch with you since we stopped playing baseball a number of years back but I will never forget some of the times we had on road trips. You were a funny kid and a great teammate. My prayers go out to your family and I will never forget you. RIP Matt

To the family of Matt, please know that you are being prayed for, loved and lifted up during this very difficult time in your lives.

Steve and Family....many of your Spartan Brothers are praying for you and your family, to give you comfort during this tragic time.

Please know that God has opened His House and let Matt in to live forever with Him now.