Madison Heaton

Our beautiful, brave and strong daughter Madison (Maddie) Heaton, age 24, passed from the loving arms of her family into our Savior’s embrace on Wednesday June 21, 2017. Maddie was born on November 11, 1992. How fitting that this little warrior was born on Veteran’s day! Her parents Randy and Lori Heaton, along with her three sisters Jessica, AnneJanae and Chelsea welcomed her into our family. Sister Randilyn was to join 18 months later to become a family of five girls. The love these girls had for Maddie and each other was fierce. Each sister had a special and eternal bond with Maddie.
 
Maddie had many health challenges which she always bore with courage and humor. At the age of four Maddie was diagnosed with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, a rare and incurable disease that affects the heart and lungs. Statistically, this disease should have taken her life, but Madison has been “thumbing her nose” at statistics all her life; this earned her the title  “Miracle Maddie.” Maddie’s life cannot be quantified by a series of calculations. Numbers will never be able to measure Maddie’s spirit or her courage and persistence to keep going despite all the odds. Statistics will never predict what her purpose in this life was, or the time in which she had to fulfill it. But it’s not by chance that she beat the odds all these years. She was here on this earth for a specific purpose. Maddie’s struggles blessed her with a unique set of personal gifts that enabled her to touch the lives of others in a way no one else could. Maddie fulfilled her earthly mission every day of her life by being an example of strength and determination to countless people. Even people who did not know Maddie were inspired and uplifted by her story.  Maddie lived on to conquer Leukemia and survive two separate lung transplants. Despite all her health challenges, Maddie loved her life and tried to live it fully. Her two greatest passions were her family and friends. Her circle of friends always included her sisters. The Heaton sisters had many adventures together, the most recent one was traveling to Amsterdam. Maddie was a beloved sister, daughter, granddaughter, niece, cousin, and aunt. Her friendship was loyal and true; many people were blessed to call her friend.
Maddie taught us many things in her short time here on earth.  Maddie’s suffering taught us that you can go through painful experiences and come out the other end stronger because of it. Maddie taught our family that no matter what the outcome, we are all in this together.  Again, we have to put that lesson into practice as we say goodbye for now. Because Madison’s spirit was so strong, she had to leave us in order to further her spiritual progression; unrestrained by her broken mortal body. And so It is with great sadness that we let you go. But there is also joy in knowing you are on to your next adventure and breathing easy. Until we meet again sweet Maddie, you are alive in our hearts for love is immortal.
 
A special thanks to Maddie’s organ donors and their families. Maddie never sought them out to thank them personally because to do so would be a painful reminder that someone they loved died so she might live. Their priceless gift enabled Maddie to see her nieces grow, travel the world and continue to touch other people’s lives with her abounding spirit. Please honor Maddie’s life by becoming an organ donor.  www.organdonor.gov.
 
Graveside services for family and close friends will be held on Tuesday June 27th at Lakeview Cemetery. 1640 East Bountiful, Utah at 2:00 p.m.
 
All who want to celebrate the amazing life of Madison Heaton are welcome to attend a celebration of life event on Tuesday June 27th from 5-10 p.m. at Memorial House in Memory Grove Park. 375 N. Canyon Road Salt Lake City.
 
Instead of flowers please donate a tree in honor of Maddie. www.alivingtribute.org
Service Information

Celebration of Life
June 27, 2017 at 5:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.
Memorial House in Memory Grove Park, 375 N Canyon Road, Salt Lake City, UT