““So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love..." 1 Corinthians 13:13
Life story
Following a lifelong battle with a congenital heart defect, Madison Danielle passed away on July 16, 2023. From her birth on February 10, 2002, Madi filled her family with joy and light that emanated from the sparkle in her azure-blue eyes; from her enormous smile, which was set between two deeply dimpled cheeks; and, most especially, from her enormous heart, which was filled with abundant love to give despite its physical weakness. It was in fact Madi’s heart and matters of the heart—like love and generosity and affection for her younger siblings in particular—that defined who she was and how she blessed the lives of everyone who knew her.
Madi was the oldest daughter and the center of love in her two families, which included her parents, Amanda and Kurt, and their sons, Kolton and Kyle, and Lewis and Ali and twin sisters Gigi and Renee and brother Landon. She was the first grandchild and always had her grandparents wrapped around her finger. As a daughter and granddaughter, sister and friend, she was the world. She was the light in everyone’s eye. She was LOVE.
Madi spent her early years in the town where she was born, Manassas, Virginia. When she was six years old, she moved to Canton, Georgia, which is where she honed her strong will and determination. Once, at the age of fourteen, upon receiving a grade in middle school that was lower than what she believed she should have earned, she sent a note to her teacher, the principal, and the school’s entire administration detailing why the grade should be changed. Despite the valiant effort, her grade wasn’t changed, but the moment was precedent-setting for a young woman who went on to share her opinions with no apologies, but always respectfully, with a sparkle in her eyes and a knowing smile on her face. Madi’s heartfelt convictions were complemented and enhanced by her soft side—a glowing side of who she was first recognized and celebrated outside of her family and friends in Elementary school, when she was named “Most Generous Person” in her class. The tender care, light touch, and open love she emanated from her heart defined her character and the joyful spirit she carried throughout her too-short life. She had a gentle warmth in her heart for all creatures and animals, especially dogs, and found peace and unencumbered fun in the water, spending days and weeks under the sunshine at Lake Allatoona, riding her wave runner, wake boarding, and boating with friends and family. Madi’s more regular day-to-day life was always executed with an upbeat musical soundtrack playing in the background, break-out dancing anywhere at any time, and a general air of togetherness that she projected into the world, driven by her genuine desire for everyone to see and experience happiness, harmony, and peace. When Madi loved, she loved fiercely. To be loved by Madi was to know that, no matter what, she would have your back and would be your greatest supporter in everything.
Beneath her passionate perseverance, joyful spirit, and contagious optimism, Madi was guided by her faith from a young age and lived her life walking in the light of the Lord until her last day. She faced her many health challenges with optimism and nothing short of heroism, just as she embraced each day of her life with beauty—inside and out—and hope and love. Known as Sissy to her siblings, she showered them with kisses and hugs and precisely the kind of affection that only a perfect big sister could give. A life of love, especially for animals, which possess God’s love in goodness and purity, is what defined who Madi was and the legacy she leaves. It’s impossible to express how much Madi will be missed, but it’s certain with magnitude and gratitude that she graced this Earth, walked gently and kindly upon it, and made it better in her twenty-one years, just as she healed animals and made the people around her better too.
Survived by her loving mother, Amanda Leigh von Schilling, Father Kurt von Schilling, brothers, Kolton and Kyle von Schilling. Loving Uncle Joseph El-Bisi. Father Lewis Boore, devoted bonus mother Alison Boore, sisters Renee Boore and Giuliana (Gigi) Boore, brother Landon Boore. Doting grandparents Connie (Momma) Albrite, Kim (PopPop) El-Bisi, Scottie (G-Daddy) Albrite, Carol (Gammie) El-Bisi, Patt (Nana) Sullivan-Perry, Sandra (Mimi) and David (Grandad) Shelley, Lewis (Papa) Boore and Danna (Nonni) Demetre and Valerie (Grandma Val) and David (Pa) Howard. As well as great grandparent Rose (Oma) DeLeuran.
Madi Carol and I are sitting on your bench looking at the sun glistening on the water in front of us as a tear rolls down my cheek and I think how much I love and miss you with all my heart! You will always be my 1st granddaughter and 1st grandchild and you always have and will hold that special place in my heart! Oh my God Madi I miss you soooo much and can’t stop thinking about you every minute of every day. I love you with every once of happy memories I have of our lives together. I can’t wait for the day we’ll be together again until then I will continue to remember the love and life we had together on this earth. Your my beautiful angel and I love you sooooooo much !
Pop Pop
Celebrating all the best memories as Cheyenne & I sit at your bench 2 years later. We are cracking up thinking about all the times we begged for sleepovers & I would get so mad at Cheyenne for wanting to hang out with us because you were MY friend!!! Haha! We miss you dearly!💛🪽🍋
Today marks 2 years without you this side of Heaven. We miss you so deeply. We will be letting lanterns go in the sky and on the water in your memory tonight. I would give anything to hold you in my arms one more time!!!
Hi baby. It’s the first day of a new year. Starting another new year without you is so damn hard. I miss you so very much. We are sitting here at your bench… me, daddy and Kobe. Thinking of you and loving you. We love you more than words, sweet Madison.
Charlene McGheeI just wanted to say that my son, Joshua has a bench next to Madison's and I seen your QR code on her bench and it was such a neat idea, I got one for my son. I'm sorry for your loss. I think Joshua and Madison have the best 2 seats at the park! The view for the sunset is unbelievable! Just wanted to say hello, and thanks for the idea to this site! 🤗
Karl von Schilling111w
Happy Labor Day
Where does the time go eh? One reason I love Virginia is because the seasons stay true. The day after Labor Day we got our first whiff of that fall air. Timing is everything because we are harvesting our sunflowers. We think of you often when we sit and watch them swaying in the breeze and feel so warm when the butterflies and yellow finches join us
This weekend we went to NJ for Blythe’s play, she absolutely crushed it as the Wicked Witch of the West. Amazing!
And Kyle flew out to Utah to hang with Wyatt. So many family activities happening.
We thought about you a lot :)
Being down in Atlanta this weekend was a blessing. I can see why you spent free time at lake spot where your bench is now. Kurt and I hung out for a while, see pic. Beautiful sunset and sunrise from there. More than a few yellow butterflies floated on by while we were hanging out, was comforting know you were there with us.
On my way out of town I enjoyed a nice tall ice cold glass of lemonade, every sip was just a bit sweeter than the last…appreciate you lil homie.
And thank your for staying in our hearts, you are felt and it really means a lot. The family (pups included) love you and miss you dearly.
