Matthew Eugene Allen, aka Cub/Muff, the son of Ronald Allen and Kathryne Dianne Hurd (deceased), passed away after a hard-fought battle with GSS [Gerstmann–Sträussler–Scheinker syndrome] disease at his home in Independence, MO, on 26 November.
He is survived by his father, Ronald Allen (and step-mom Janet), his brother John Argo (and fiancee‚ Sam), sister, Ryleigh Claunch, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Matt was a gift to everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. Overcoming adversity after losing his mother when he was in high school, Matt spread positivity, laughter, and love to anyone he came to know. He carried forth those same qualities as he fought this disease, continuing to embody the best of the human spirit, sharing it with everyone in his life.
Matt brought so many wonderful people together, demonstrating that we can all have his compassion for others and accomplish anything. Matt brought out the best in people, turning strangers into friends and rallying help from anyone that saw his smile and baby-blue eyes.
Team Matt, his loyal team of friends and family, are grateful for the community who rallied to help give Matt the best quality of life and joyful experiences as he fought this disease, and are eternally grateful for everyone who helped him smile and laugh. The world is less bright without Matt, but he will forever live in every heart and soul he touched with his smile and spirit.
Matt is also survived by a group of family and friends who will continue to spread his love and positivity around the world.
A celebration of his life will be held at Colonial Hills Community of Christ Church, 3539 SW State Route 7, Blue Springs, on Sunday, December 2 at 1:30 pm. Following the service, we will continue to celebrate Matt as we watch his favorite team, the KC Chiefs, at Chicken N Pickle, 1761 Burlington St., North Kansas City.
In lieu of flowers, Team Matt suggests donations to Alzheimer Disease Research in Pathology; Indiana University School of Medicine Department of Pathology, 635 Barnhill Drive, MS A-142, Indianapolis, IN 46202 (For GSS Research); or Kansas City Hospice Foundation, KCHPC.
Source: Kansas City Star, 30 Nov 2018
Friend Steve Hurshman wrote the following after Matt died:
A lot of heavy hearts today. It's a day we all knew was inevitable, yet never saw coming. Matt was tasked with fighting one of the rarest and most horrible diseases known, but he managed to handle it with more grace and strength than anyone thought possible.
Matt was a gift to everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. He overcame adversity in losing his mother and became fiercely independent while spreading positivity, laughter and genuine care to anyone he came to know. He carried forth the same qualities as he became trapped in a body that was failing him, and stayed resilient despite a mind that was under constant attack. Matt embodied the best of the human spirit and shared it with all of us.
So many wonderful people were brought together because of Matt's impact, and he showed us that together we can be as compassionate as he was and accomplish anything. He brought out our best-selves, turning strangers into caretakers and rallying help from anyone that saw that smile and those baby blue eyes.
A community rallied to help us give him the best quality of life we could provide, and I hope we did him justice.. though he deserved so much more. I'm eternally grateful for everyone who helped him smile and laugh as much as possible during the time I got to spend with him as a roommate and as a brother.
This past week we all got to share an unforgettable Friendsgiving with Matt, he got to see old family on Thanksgiving; followed by more days of visits from friends, good food, laughter and games. Last night we continued our Harry Potter marathon while the girls and I played Game of Thrones Monopoly (I secretly had Matt on my side giving me good luck in exchange for feeding him swedish meatballs and carrot cake.) Matt had the sauce all over his teeth and lips, so I decided to join him with the last photo I will ever take with him..
It was like every other night with our same routine and laughter as Lauren and I put him to bed. We cracked jokes, said our I love yous, gave him his meds/coconut water and hugs goodnight. He paged and woke Lauren up once in the middle of the night to be rearranged... Then there was never a morning page. Matt had found his peace and passed away while we slept.
Today was inevitable but it still feels too soon. Matt has been spared the remaining horrors of this disease, but it doesn't make the goodbye any easier. None of us were ready, as we were planning Christmas parties and outings for next year. It's both mercy and sorrow, grief and relief.. Friends and family were able to rally all day long to see him, pray for him and say their goodbyes. It's a day none of us will forget, spent with people who have been brought together and become family due to a shared love for Matt.
He was taken early this evening and will be cremated. His ashes will be spread the same way Matt spread his love and positivity. They will go with his father, be buried with his mother, make the trip to California and Hawaii to be celebrated with those he impacted. We will also take him to the shores of Maine. The world is less bright without Matt in it, but he will forever live on in every soul that he touched with that smile and spirit.
Our sincerest thanks to everyone Team Matt who aided in his journey and fight. Words cannot express how much it meant and continues to mean to us. We love you all.. and we miss you so damn much, Matt.
He is survived by his father, Ronald Allen (and step-mom Janet), his brother John Argo (and fiancee‚ Sam), sister, Ryleigh Claunch, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Matt was a gift to everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. Overcoming adversity after losing his mother when he was in high school, Matt spread positivity, laughter, and love to anyone he came to know. He carried forth those same qualities as he fought this disease, continuing to embody the best of the human spirit, sharing it with everyone in his life.
Matt brought so many wonderful people together, demonstrating that we can all have his compassion for others and accomplish anything. Matt brought out the best in people, turning strangers into friends and rallying help from anyone that saw his smile and baby-blue eyes.
Team Matt, his loyal team of friends and family, are grateful for the community who rallied to help give Matt the best quality of life and joyful experiences as he fought this disease, and are eternally grateful for everyone who helped him smile and laugh. The world is less bright without Matt, but he will forever live in every heart and soul he touched with his smile and spirit.
Matt is also survived by a group of family and friends who will continue to spread his love and positivity around the world.
A celebration of his life will be held at Colonial Hills Community of Christ Church, 3539 SW State Route 7, Blue Springs, on Sunday, December 2 at 1:30 pm. Following the service, we will continue to celebrate Matt as we watch his favorite team, the KC Chiefs, at Chicken N Pickle, 1761 Burlington St., North Kansas City.
In lieu of flowers, Team Matt suggests donations to Alzheimer Disease Research in Pathology; Indiana University School of Medicine Department of Pathology, 635 Barnhill Drive, MS A-142, Indianapolis, IN 46202 (For GSS Research); or Kansas City Hospice Foundation, KCHPC.
Source: Kansas City Star, 30 Nov 2018
Friend Steve Hurshman wrote the following after Matt died:
A lot of heavy hearts today. It's a day we all knew was inevitable, yet never saw coming. Matt was tasked with fighting one of the rarest and most horrible diseases known, but he managed to handle it with more grace and strength than anyone thought possible.
Matt was a gift to everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. He overcame adversity in losing his mother and became fiercely independent while spreading positivity, laughter and genuine care to anyone he came to know. He carried forth the same qualities as he became trapped in a body that was failing him, and stayed resilient despite a mind that was under constant attack. Matt embodied the best of the human spirit and shared it with all of us.
So many wonderful people were brought together because of Matt's impact, and he showed us that together we can be as compassionate as he was and accomplish anything. He brought out our best-selves, turning strangers into caretakers and rallying help from anyone that saw that smile and those baby blue eyes.
A community rallied to help us give him the best quality of life we could provide, and I hope we did him justice.. though he deserved so much more. I'm eternally grateful for everyone who helped him smile and laugh as much as possible during the time I got to spend with him as a roommate and as a brother.
This past week we all got to share an unforgettable Friendsgiving with Matt, he got to see old family on Thanksgiving; followed by more days of visits from friends, good food, laughter and games. Last night we continued our Harry Potter marathon while the girls and I played Game of Thrones Monopoly (I secretly had Matt on my side giving me good luck in exchange for feeding him swedish meatballs and carrot cake.) Matt had the sauce all over his teeth and lips, so I decided to join him with the last photo I will ever take with him..
It was like every other night with our same routine and laughter as Lauren and I put him to bed. We cracked jokes, said our I love yous, gave him his meds/coconut water and hugs goodnight. He paged and woke Lauren up once in the middle of the night to be rearranged... Then there was never a morning page. Matt had found his peace and passed away while we slept.
Today was inevitable but it still feels too soon. Matt has been spared the remaining horrors of this disease, but it doesn't make the goodbye any easier. None of us were ready, as we were planning Christmas parties and outings for next year. It's both mercy and sorrow, grief and relief.. Friends and family were able to rally all day long to see him, pray for him and say their goodbyes. It's a day none of us will forget, spent with people who have been brought together and become family due to a shared love for Matt.
He was taken early this evening and will be cremated. His ashes will be spread the same way Matt spread his love and positivity. They will go with his father, be buried with his mother, make the trip to California and Hawaii to be celebrated with those he impacted. We will also take him to the shores of Maine. The world is less bright without Matt in it, but he will forever live on in every soul that he touched with that smile and spirit.
Our sincerest thanks to everyone Team Matt who aided in his journey and fight. Words cannot express how much it meant and continues to mean to us. We love you all.. and we miss you so damn much, Matt.
Matthew Eugene Allen, aka Cub/Muff, the son of Ronald Allen and Kathryne Dianne Hurd (deceased), passed away after a hard-fought battle with GSS [Gerstmann–Sträussler–Scheinker syndrome] disease at his home in Independence, MO, on 26 November.
He is survived by his father, Ronald Allen (and step-mom Janet), his brother John Argo (and fiancee‚ Sam), sister, Ryleigh Claunch, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Matt was a gift to everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. Overcoming adversity after losing his mother when he was in high school, Matt spread positivity, laughter, and love to anyone he came to know. He carried forth those same qualities as he fought this disease, continuing to embody the best of the human spirit, sharing it with everyone in his life.
Matt brought so many wonderful people together, demonstrating that we can all have his compassion for others and accomplish anything. Matt brought out the best in people, turning strangers into friends and rallying help from anyone that saw his smile and baby-blue eyes.
Team Matt, his loyal team of friends and family, are grateful for the community who rallied to help give Matt the best quality of life and joyful experiences as he fought this disease, and are eternally grateful for everyone who helped him smile and laugh. The world is less bright without Matt, but he will forever live in every heart and soul he touched with his smile and spirit.
Matt is also survived by a group of family and friends who will continue to spread his love and positivity around the world.
A celebration of his life will be held at Colonial Hills Community of Christ Church, 3539 SW State Route 7, Blue Springs, on Sunday, December 2 at 1:30 pm. Following the service, we will continue to celebrate Matt as we watch his favorite team, the KC Chiefs, at Chicken N Pickle, 1761 Burlington St., North Kansas City.
In lieu of flowers, Team Matt suggests donations to Alzheimer Disease Research in Pathology; Indiana University School of Medicine Department of Pathology, 635 Barnhill Drive, MS A-142, Indianapolis, IN 46202 (For GSS Research); or Kansas City Hospice Foundation, KCHPC.
Source: Kansas City Star, 30 Nov 2018
Friend Steve Hurshman wrote the following after Matt died:
A lot of heavy hearts today. It's a day we all knew was inevitable, yet never saw coming. Matt was tasked with fighting one of the rarest and most horrible diseases known, but he managed to handle it with more grace and strength than anyone thought possible.
Matt was a gift to everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. He overcame adversity in losing his mother and became fiercely independent while spreading positivity, laughter and genuine care to anyone he came to know. He carried forth the same qualities as he became trapped in a body that was failing him, and stayed resilient despite a mind that was under constant attack. Matt embodied the best of the human spirit and shared it with all of us.
So many wonderful people were brought together because of Matt's impact, and he showed us that together we can be as compassionate as he was and accomplish anything. He brought out our best-selves, turning strangers into caretakers and rallying help from anyone that saw that smile and those baby blue eyes.
A community rallied to help us give him the best quality of life we could provide, and I hope we did him justice.. though he deserved so much more. I'm eternally grateful for everyone who helped him smile and laugh as much as possible during the time I got to spend with him as a roommate and as a brother.
This past week we all got to share an unforgettable Friendsgiving with Matt, he got to see old family on Thanksgiving; followed by more days of visits from friends, good food, laughter and games. Last night we continued our Harry Potter marathon while the girls and I played Game of Thrones Monopoly (I secretly had Matt on my side giving me good luck in exchange for feeding him swedish meatballs and carrot cake.) Matt had the sauce all over his teeth and lips, so I decided to join him with the last photo I will ever take with him..
It was like every other night with our same routine and laughter as Lauren and I put him to bed. We cracked jokes, said our I love yous, gave him his meds/coconut water and hugs goodnight. He paged and woke Lauren up once in the middle of the night to be rearranged... Then there was never a morning page. Matt had found his peace and passed away while we slept.
Today was inevitable but it still feels too soon. Matt has been spared the remaining horrors of this disease, but it doesn't make the goodbye any easier. None of us were ready, as we were planning Christmas parties and outings for next year. It's both mercy and sorrow, grief and relief.. Friends and family were able to rally all day long to see him, pray for him and say their goodbyes. It's a day none of us will forget, spent with people who have been brought together and become family due to a shared love for Matt.
He was taken early this evening and will be cremated. His ashes will be spread the same way Matt spread his love and positivity. They will go with his father, be buried with his mother, make the trip to California and Hawaii to be celebrated with those he impacted. We will also take him to the shores of Maine. The world is less bright without Matt in it, but he will forever live on in every soul that he touched with that smile and spirit.
Our sincerest thanks to everyone Team Matt who aided in his journey and fight. Words cannot express how much it meant and continues to mean to us. We love you all.. and we miss you so damn much, Matt.
He is survived by his father, Ronald Allen (and step-mom Janet), his brother John Argo (and fiancee‚ Sam), sister, Ryleigh Claunch, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Matt was a gift to everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. Overcoming adversity after losing his mother when he was in high school, Matt spread positivity, laughter, and love to anyone he came to know. He carried forth those same qualities as he fought this disease, continuing to embody the best of the human spirit, sharing it with everyone in his life.
Matt brought so many wonderful people together, demonstrating that we can all have his compassion for others and accomplish anything. Matt brought out the best in people, turning strangers into friends and rallying help from anyone that saw his smile and baby-blue eyes.
Team Matt, his loyal team of friends and family, are grateful for the community who rallied to help give Matt the best quality of life and joyful experiences as he fought this disease, and are eternally grateful for everyone who helped him smile and laugh. The world is less bright without Matt, but he will forever live in every heart and soul he touched with his smile and spirit.
Matt is also survived by a group of family and friends who will continue to spread his love and positivity around the world.
A celebration of his life will be held at Colonial Hills Community of Christ Church, 3539 SW State Route 7, Blue Springs, on Sunday, December 2 at 1:30 pm. Following the service, we will continue to celebrate Matt as we watch his favorite team, the KC Chiefs, at Chicken N Pickle, 1761 Burlington St., North Kansas City.
In lieu of flowers, Team Matt suggests donations to Alzheimer Disease Research in Pathology; Indiana University School of Medicine Department of Pathology, 635 Barnhill Drive, MS A-142, Indianapolis, IN 46202 (For GSS Research); or Kansas City Hospice Foundation, KCHPC.
Source: Kansas City Star, 30 Nov 2018
Friend Steve Hurshman wrote the following after Matt died:
A lot of heavy hearts today. It's a day we all knew was inevitable, yet never saw coming. Matt was tasked with fighting one of the rarest and most horrible diseases known, but he managed to handle it with more grace and strength than anyone thought possible.
Matt was a gift to everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. He overcame adversity in losing his mother and became fiercely independent while spreading positivity, laughter and genuine care to anyone he came to know. He carried forth the same qualities as he became trapped in a body that was failing him, and stayed resilient despite a mind that was under constant attack. Matt embodied the best of the human spirit and shared it with all of us.
So many wonderful people were brought together because of Matt's impact, and he showed us that together we can be as compassionate as he was and accomplish anything. He brought out our best-selves, turning strangers into caretakers and rallying help from anyone that saw that smile and those baby blue eyes.
A community rallied to help us give him the best quality of life we could provide, and I hope we did him justice.. though he deserved so much more. I'm eternally grateful for everyone who helped him smile and laugh as much as possible during the time I got to spend with him as a roommate and as a brother.
This past week we all got to share an unforgettable Friendsgiving with Matt, he got to see old family on Thanksgiving; followed by more days of visits from friends, good food, laughter and games. Last night we continued our Harry Potter marathon while the girls and I played Game of Thrones Monopoly (I secretly had Matt on my side giving me good luck in exchange for feeding him swedish meatballs and carrot cake.) Matt had the sauce all over his teeth and lips, so I decided to join him with the last photo I will ever take with him..
It was like every other night with our same routine and laughter as Lauren and I put him to bed. We cracked jokes, said our I love yous, gave him his meds/coconut water and hugs goodnight. He paged and woke Lauren up once in the middle of the night to be rearranged... Then there was never a morning page. Matt had found his peace and passed away while we slept.
Today was inevitable but it still feels too soon. Matt has been spared the remaining horrors of this disease, but it doesn't make the goodbye any easier. None of us were ready, as we were planning Christmas parties and outings for next year. It's both mercy and sorrow, grief and relief.. Friends and family were able to rally all day long to see him, pray for him and say their goodbyes. It's a day none of us will forget, spent with people who have been brought together and become family due to a shared love for Matt.
He was taken early this evening and will be cremated. His ashes will be spread the same way Matt spread his love and positivity. They will go with his father, be buried with his mother, make the trip to California and Hawaii to be celebrated with those he impacted. We will also take him to the shores of Maine. The world is less bright without Matt in it, but he will forever live on in every soul that he touched with that smile and spirit.
Our sincerest thanks to everyone Team Matt who aided in his journey and fight. Words cannot express how much it meant and continues to mean to us. We love you all.. and we miss you so damn much, Matt.
Gravesite Details
His ashes are (unofficially) with his mother's grave in this cemetery, yet also in the surf on San Diego's coast, in Hawaii, Israel, and many other places his friends continue to take him.
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