Madeline Rose Meeske

Madeline Rose Meeske (Maddie), Port Orange Fl, passed away on December 14, 2021, at Halifax Hospital in Daytona Beach. She was 21 years young, born August 1, 2000, also at Halifax Hospital. She is survived by her loving parents, Joe and Rose, her brother T.J., her doting grandparents Al and Linda Baldinger, Tim Killeen, Frank and Pat Meeske, many aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, her confidant Lindsey and her faithful goldendoodle Jax.

Maddie loved so many and was loved by many more. Even those who briefly crossed paths with her in life remembered her kind soul and introverted energy. Those who knew her well will forever remember her silly sense of humor, her innate artistic talent and a beautiful smile that would touch your soul.

As a young child Maddie loved to make videos and, if you were ever around her, chances are you are in one of them. Her movies expressed her thoughts and feelings about the world. She also learned to play bass guitar at an early age and was in an all-girl band at age 10; thanks to her musical mentor, Vinny Dappio, who later remained a major influence in her life having her intern at several of his music and technology companies. He gave her the title “research scientist” as she was constantly trying to find ways for to use music therapeutically. She enjoyed making all kinds of art that she wanted to put on t-shirts she hoped would become viral hits online.

She was a student at Father Lopez High School, where she was a 4-year starter on the varsity softball team. From rec ball to travel ball to high school softball, she loved being part of a team and gave her all at everything she did. Later, she enrolled at Stetson University studying digital media and then Daytona State College, as an SSTARS scholar for computer information technology. Her creativity is what drove her forward in life and she loved the fact that she was able to tap into that creativity during her internship. She loved being a dog sitter to her favorite neighbors Murphy and Charlie Brown.

When you think of Maddie think of her beautiful smile, her ability to make others laugh and her kind, giving and compassionate soul that touched so many in life and beyond, even saving lives with her gift of organ donation.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church in Port Orange at 10:30AM on Saturday, January 8. Interment will be held in the Volusia Memorial Cemetery in Ormond Beach following the Mass.

In lieu of flowers please submit donations to Youth Emotional Support, a non-profit that Madeline helped create to benefit adolescents and families struggling with mental illness. Visit yestohelp.org for more information; https://yestohelp.org/ Please submit your loving memories of Maddie to [email protected].