A Tribute to Matthew

April 16, 1994 - August 9, 2003

My dear nephew, Matthew Lawrence Allen was an extremely intelligent young boy! He loved to read and early in the summer of 2003 was proud to have read the latest Harry Potter novel, a gift from me. He was also learning to play the piano. We also had in common our love of computers.....from the moment he could maneuver a mouse he was hooked! He was to enter grade 4 in the fall of 2003. At the beginning of August he watched intensely as I repaired the CD-Rom drive in his Mom's computer. Finally he could play some of his games again!

Matthew was the son of Lorraine and Kent and brother to Emma who has turned out to be a very strong little girl. My sister Lorraine, and her husband Kent operate a dairy farm on Keswick Ridge. Last summer Matthew took on the chore of getting the cows in for the evening milking. Matthew's sister Emma loves to be out around the barns as well, especially helping Dad with the young cattle and playing with the many kittens! Thank you Emma for helping Mom and Dad through this heartbreaking time!

On Saturday Aug.9th Matthew had an exciting adventure that all too soon turned into a terrible tragedy. On this day he was allowed to take his bike onto the extremely busy Keswick Ridge Road all by himself for the very first time. With a grin on his face he went to Grammie's house to share his good news and to look for his Mom. He then left to go up the road to his own house.

Matthew did not make it home but now is our little angel taking care of those left behind. I think he would be amazed to know that hundreds of people came out to pay their respects and say good-bye. The York Funeral Home told me it was one of their largest visitations ever!

The picture below was taken late in July of 2003 by his Aunt Sharon out at the Mactaquac Park Beaver Pond Walking trail. The picture at the top of the page was taken by me on the afternoon of Aug. 7th. The family had gathered together to celebrate early Matthew's Grampie Lawrence's 70th birthday.

Matthew will be forever loved and missed
by everyone who came in contact with this remarkable little boy!

I know my sister Lorraine, her husband Kent, their daughter Emma and Matthew's extended family are extremely moved and thankful for the support given them during this terrible ordeal. The barn chores were all taken care of by area farmers and the community brought enough food to last for weeks!

Below is a collage of pictures put together for his funeral.

Click on the picture for a full-sized view.