Madelyn L. McGuire

Biography

Madelyn Leilani McGuire was born to Andrew and Valerie McGuire in San Diego, California on October 26, 2001. She was the first granddaughter in both our families. Maddie’s favorite color was purple and as she would say “ has to be a pretty, fancy purple daddy ! “. Maddie wanted to be so independent at such a young age, she was determined to do great things! Below are a few of them…

When she was born she looked like a little Eskimo baby with dark brown eyes and hair. She was a little fury baby and so loving. Maddie was so easy to take care of. From the day she was born she just wanted to make everyone happy and not give anyone trouble. She loved music, driving in her car seat, and playing with her cousins. Her 2 younger brothers came after her in this world Nathan and Tanner McGuire. They loved her….she was a second Mommy to little Tanner.

At a very young age she started learning her 123’s and abc’s and loved to sing songs for us. We knew at this age that she was going to be something really special. She learned how to walk at her Uncle Bruce and Aunt Sarina’s house in Chula Vista. We were all smiling and clapping and I think this was her first taste of performing. She was very snuggly too. She loved to sleep on her mommy’s and daddy’s chest. Her 1 year old birthday was her first experience with cake and ice cream. Let’s just say half her face was covered in icing. At this time, Maddie’s grandpa McGuire nicknamed her “ His pineapple princess “ after her looking like our Hawaiian side of the family. This nickname was one of many nicknames like MooMoo, Momodeans, squeekie, squagler, Mawee…. These always made her giggle and we just couldn’t say them enough. They will always be her nicknames to us.

Through school, Maddie was a great student. But as a parent our greatest pride came from reading the notes on her report cards about how caring she was and how she was such a pleasure to have in their class. 3rd and 4th grades were where Maddie started her passion for music and dance. Every teacher Maddie had throughout her grades still remembers her and the light she brought to the room she was in. She always wanted to participate in school dances, activities, and team building groups.

Her positive attitude attracted a swarm of girls with the same values to which she would name “ Her girls “. From Girl Scouts to after school dance programs to Touch of Class performances, she would bond with everyone she interacted with.

Here is a list of groups that Maddie participated in and formed “ Her Girls “ group from.

-Touch of Class Dance -Santee Girl Scouts -Miss Santee Pageant

-Santee Ravens Cheer -AYSO soccer -Sportsplex soccer

-Epilepsy foundation -Jr. Charger Cheerleaders -Santee Basketball

-Pathways Church -YMCA

-many, many more groups

In 5th grade, Maddie decided to do the Miss Santee Pageant. Still new to her, she went in front of over 500 audience members and showed why she was so special. I remember, as her Dad, just cheering for her and feeling so proud of her. She told us she wanted to try it because she liked the show Toddlers and Tiara’s so much. We, as parents, just stood back and welcomed the experience. She still this day, would keep in contact with that year’s Miss Santee and she considered her a mentor.

Maddie then took her energies into the world of football by cheering for the Santee Raven’s team. She would spend 2 seasons with them as a cheerleader. Maddie did everything to mold herself into the perfect cheerleader, and drive it home each game by giving 100%. Rooting, cheering, and giving were strong suits of Maddie’s. Maddie’s position on the cheer team was a base. Which meant everyone above getting thrown around was relying on her to be there to catch them safely. Just what her personality was made for, to rely on her for anything!

She participated in the San Diego Junior Charger Girl’s event. She trained with them and then performed in their Christmas charity game in their stadium. She was so proud and we could see her big brown eyes on us making sure we were watching her. This was so amazing to watch as Maddie’s style was out of this world. I, her dad, would just be in AWWWW watching her. One moment in practice I had a glimpse of Maddie’s power to energize people. I will never forget it. All the Jr. cheerleaders were getting to practice and the lead cheerleader microphones in “ who wants to start with a FREE dance and work out the cob webs ? “ Of course, all including myself would be shy and not come forward, but Maddie on the other hand did step forward. As I held my breathe in amazement Maddie said “ Can you play the Hanna Montana song Hoedown Throwdown “, and so they did. As all the Jr. cheerleaders start to circle around my daughter, Maddie start the dance off. Cheerleaders start to watch as Maddie dances her little routine, and the circle starts to grow. She was the only one dancing and other little Jr. cheerleaders were just watching and bobbing their heads to Maddie’s dance. The whole song goes by and the lead Charger Cheerleader mic’s in “ Now that is a cheerleader, now lets all do the dance together. “ I knew then she was made for bigger and better things !

Some of Maddie’s likes include

Singing and dancing, cheer, sports of any kind, drawing, coloring, family time ( movie night ), loved mommy time, shopping at Nordstrom’s rack and Hollister, wrestling with her brothers and dad, playing with her 2 dogs, hanging out with her girl scout troop, going to Florida for vacations, riding her bike, talking about boys with her mom ( only ), school time, being a peace builder, getting pictures taken of herself with family and friends, loving people and encouraging them, and most of all she actually loved to follow the rules.

Though all these great things were going on, she was fighting internally with Epilepsy and seizures. Brought on 3 ago, she would have an episode and be out of it for a day. But then our strong willed girl would just get back up and play some more. Getting stronger each time. Always thinking that she would grow out of it. She never would admit that it hindered her from her goals, wants, and dreams to be larger than life. She never was scared of Epilepsy and fought it head on until the end. As her Mom I knew that she understood her limitations but we never talked about it directly. For example, after she graduated from college she and her best friend Mia were planning on moving to New York City together. They have actually talked about the types of places they would live and what type of furniture to buy. She thought it would be perfect and then she looked at me and said…and I wouldn’t need a car. She knew that I was afraid for her to ever be able to drive but she didn’t act like she wasn’t able to do anything.

Madelyn Leilani McGuire had her final seizure from epilepsy on 6-19-2013 and fought to recover from it. If I were to read her mind right now, I would say all of you that are reading this Biography she loved dearly. Her mom and dad stayed by her bedside the entire time, kissing, hugging, and talking to her making her understand that she will always be here in spirit. To conclude, when you feel uneasy and mad just think how would Maddie handle this and then smile and offer to hang out and play around. Goof off and make some funny words up or a funny dance. Enjoy life as our daughter did! We will all see Maddie again one day. And then it will be a new day to CHEER !