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Matthew Conner Austin
09/17/2002 — 11/05/2013
From Pasco, WA, USA | Born in Kennewick, Washington
Matthew Conner Austin
Matthew Conner Austin, age 11, passed away on November 5, 2013 at his home in Pasco in the arms of his mother and father after a brave 14 month battle with brain cancer.
Matthew was born September 17, 2002 at Kennewick General Hospital and was the first child and only son of Steve and Nikki Austin.
Matthew lived in Pasco his entire life. He attended Faith Assembly preschool and McGee Elementary School where he began the 5th grade this year. Matthew was well liked by his teachers and friends at McGee. He is remembered for his thoughtfulness and cared deeply for his friends. His fellow students and teachers know that his sense of humor was one of his best traits.
Matthew played basketball for several years as well as baseball with Pasco Little League, where he was coached by his father Steve every year. This past spring, Matthew's baseball team won the 10U championship as Matthew played first base, the whole time being treated for cancer.
Matthew participated in Cub Scouts for several years and attended church at Kennewick United Methodist Church.
Matthew loved to travel with his family. He made numerous trips to Iowa and Illinois to visit family, trips to Oregon, Idaho, California, Nevada, Mazatlan Mexico and too many camping trips to list. He was happiest when he was camping and playing "Army" with his friends. He also loved to play with his extensive Lego collection and like many 11 year old boys, could spend hours playing on his Xbox. Matthew enjoyed his role as a big brother. Sometimes that involved torturing Megan….but just as many times it involved them playing together for hours on end. They were each other's first best friends and will always share an unbreakable bond.
Matthew was preceded in death by his maternal great-grandmother, Mabel Dreese and his beloved dog, Jake.
Matthew is survived by his parents, Steve and Nikki Austin of Pasco; younger sister Megan; paternal great-grandparents Edwin and Marty Faria, maternal great-grandmother Marion Forsythe, paternal grandparents Denis and Pat Austin and Pat Baker, maternal grandparents Jim and Jeannie Forsythe and, Penny and Lynn Lublin, Aunts Beth Austin and Angela Jeff Ayres, Uncle Cory Plaizier Elaine and many, great Aunts, Uncles and cousins who loved Matthew dearly. Matthew is also survived by his loyal companion Polly, who lay with him constantly during his final days and hours.
We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to Sarah Leary MD and Cory Hoeppner ARNP at Seattle Children's Hospital for the care they've given to our entire family over the past 14 months. From the day Matthew was diagnosed, they have supported us to ensure that the time we had with him was of the best quality possible. We will be forever grateful to them. We would also like to thank the Pediatric Oncology Team at Kadlec Regional Medical Center for caring for Matthew during his chemotherapy infusions and finally The Chaplaincy and our angel, Nurse Cleo Stockard-Garcia for helping us guide Matthew on his final journey home. We would also like to thank Therese Cobb for her special friendship with Matthew and for helping us navigate this journey.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Seattle Children's Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Fund PBTRF PO Box 9784, Seattle, WA 98109 or The Chaplaincy/Hospice at 1480 Fowler St., Richland, WA 99352 in Matthew's memory.
Dear parents of Matthew
Hello my name is Izaiah I attended school with your son which was my best friend even though he has passed away he still with me in memory and I can’t stop thinking about the day he new he was sick but never gave up hope unlike me I was to afraid at the time to tell him I hope we will be friends again in the next world that god has planned out for us for eternity.
At the the time I was going through some problems with some bully’s and talking to Matthew was my safe area and when he passed away I was lost because I didn’t have my buddy that I felt safe to be around with but when he passed my problems went away too I never understood why the bullying stop but later I found out that he was my Guardian angel 👼 showing me how to be strong an to let the Worries go and I never got to thank him but it’s something I have been carrying with me since I was a child and promised that when I could I would thank you both for bringing Matthew into this world even though he had to go so soon he was the best friend I had ever had until this day and I’m truly grateful to call your son my best friend my guardian angel and I wouldn’t of been more happy to have called him my brother.
Dear Izaiah ontiveros garza
I miss seeing your smile face when you would come to visit me while you were sick
May his wings take him higher and farther then he was allowed to go here!! Our prayers are with you!
Love and prayers to everyone in the Austin family.
Dear Steve, Nikki, and Megan: Your family has been on my mind for months, as it has been for so many others. While I cannot even begin to comprehend what you have gone through, and what is to come, I hope you know how loved and respected you all are. May each day bring more fond memories, and less pain. My boys and I send much love to you all!
Very sad times. But seeing Matthew’s smiling face as we share memories of him, has made me feel blessed to have known him. His courage and strength has amazed me. I am thankful that Matthew had such a loving family who cherished him, supported him, and never witheld a hug. Love you guys.
I miss seeing your smile face when you would come to visit me while you were sick
May his wings take him higher and farther then he was allowed to go here!! Our prayers are with you!
Love and prayers to everyone in the Austin family.
Dear Steve, Nikki, and Megan: Your family has been on my mind for months, as it has been for so many others. While I cannot even begin to comprehend what you have gone through, and what is to come, I hope you know how loved and respected you all are. May each day bring more fond memories, and less pain. My boys and I send much love to you all!
Very sad times. But seeing Matthew’s smiling face as we share memories of him, has made me feel blessed to have known him. His courage and strength has amazed me. I am thankful that Matthew had such a loving family who cherished him, supported him, and never witheld a hug. Love you guys.
Matthew is amazing!!. He fought a fight he would likely lose but fought it like he could win. He will always be an inspiration. And Steve and Nicki, Your strength has been incredible! God had blessed you as parents to be able to turn such a heart breaking situation into an opportunity to love stronger, feel deeper, and live with perseverance every day. Thank you for setting such a beautiful example. I Am so sorry for your loss. But I am so happy to know your baby boy is in the arms of Jesup now.
Maybe Matthew can have a play date with Bertie and Zack.
It’s not going to be easy, but you’ll get through it. God bless
My prayers continue as you make the most difficult adjustment of loss.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time. Ava sends big hugs to Megan.
Austin family,
You are in our thoughts and prayers for strength and healing during this heart breaking time. We’ve only known you within the baseball community, but send you our most heartfelt condolences.
The French Family
Our most heartfelt condolences on your loss. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Steve, Nikki and Megan. May the compassionate grace of God shine on your family today and in the days ahead as you adjust to a life without Matthews physical presence enriching your home. And may the thousands of memories of your Matthew, his infectious smile, that he inherited from his mother, his laughter, and the love he had for you and others fill your minds with peace and ease your hurting hearts. We love you, Craig and Tom
Austin Family~
It’s hard to imagine that it was about 7 years ago I had Matthew in my preschool class. As I think about memories of that year with him, I can’t help but laugh at the funny stories he would share and his out going personality. Never a dull moment with Matthew! I am holding your family in my heart as well as Matthew.
With Great Love~ Rietta Logozzo
Mrs. Logozzo to Matthew
Steve, Nikki, & Megan ~ It has been an honor getting to know the Austin family over the past 2 years. Having Matthew as a 3rd grader was a pleasure. His smile and sense of humor are what I treasure most. Now I have Megan and will remember her as a warm, caring, and compassionate young lady. No parent should have to make the journey you have made ~ but you did it with dignity. You will always have a special place in my heart.
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to you…..I lost my only child Nicole Lynn Woodbury 5 years ago, and her teacher was Beth Austin she loved her May your memories and forever love of Matthew help to ease your pain….he will forever be in your hearts.
What a brave warrior Matthew was, and now he is an Angel, watching over his family. To Nikki, Steve and Megan, bless you and may you have strength and courage in the days ahead.
With love,
Sue
What a noble little guy… he really changed his world for the better. And then there’s all this love… love never dies and we keep the flame going forever. For Le Petit Prince, dear Matthew. All my love and sorrow to those who grieve for him ~
Such a wonderful boy & I am so grateful that I had the chance to know him, smile with him, and support him through this rough 14 months. In my heart forever.
I am so sorry to hear of Matthews passing. What a strong brave boy he was to fight so long and hard. The advice I could have use after I lost my son was to just take one moment at a time. Don’t even try to think about making it through a whole day. Just this one moment. Also remember to breath. I swear your body forgets how. So breath in and breath out and you made it through another moment. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
My heart goes out to Matthew and all of his family. I will remember your son as one of the courageous young boys who has battled against cancer and now is flying with the angels. Blessings to all of you.
Austin family~
You are a constant in our thoughts and prayers. We love you all and grieve with you.
Tiny angel rest your wings. Thank you for the inspiration you gave to so many. I guess Heaven was needing a hero. You will certainly be missed, and most certainly never forgotten.
Nikki, Steve, and Megan… thank YOU for your strength and your commitment to each other during this time. When I think of the word family, you are it. I love you all, and will always be here for whatever you need.
With love and admiration for this brave little warrior and his entire family. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Nikki, Steve, and Meagan – Out thoughts and prayers go to you and your family. You have shown unbelievable strength through this horrible ordeal. No child should ever have to suffer what Matthew did, no parents or siblings should ever experience what you did. We are blessed to have met Matthew and he will be in our prayers.
God Bless
Kleven family
Matthew is in that safe place in our hearts now. Our little Warrior that continues to inspire us to face each day with courage and love.
Steve, Nikki, and Megan,
Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers…memories of Matthew will forever be in my heart.
Nicole, so sorry to hear of your families loss. You will all be in my prayers. I hope that he can now rest and be free from any pain. Hugs love and prayers. Heather
My deepest thoughts and prayers for Nikki, Meghan and the entire Austin family. May your memories of Matthew console you at this difficult time.
Prayers for your family as you go through losing your son.
It was truly an honor for our family to have known Matthew. We have such amazing memories of him. He faced the last 14 months with more courage than most adults have. Our hearts and prayers go out to Steve, Nikki, Wiggy, and Polly.
Beautiful obit for a beautiful child. Saying prayers for the Austin family…..
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. It was a pleasure and an honor to be Matthew’s preschool teacher. I can’t think about him without seeing his happy smile!
Our family is praying for yours. And Ellie sends hugs to Megan.
We are friends and neighbors of Penny and Lynn and have been praying for Matthew. We wish to extend our heartfelt sympathy to your family in
such a tremendous loss. May our Lord bless you with peace. Harvey & Bonnie
Really sorry for your loss. I just lost my Dad to the same thing last week. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family.
God has a new angel in his company. Thoughts and prayers to the entire family.
I only had the fortune of meeting Matthew one time, and it was a day that changed my life forever. What a cool little man and a family that I felt like I had known forever! I am so honored for the chance encounter I had with this little hero, and will never forget him. NOFAM!
We will pray for the family and all who knew and loved Matthew. We will always remember that towheaded youngster playing in his grandparents yard. God will give you strength to move on. Matthew will always be with you in your heart.
I have no worthy words to express my sorrow or to ease yours. Just know that I love you and pray for Mathew and your entire family. God Bless. God Bless. God Bless.
Please accept our loving prayers and sincere condolences. In memory of your sweet boy~ Phil, Amy, Owen and Anna Larsen
Steve, Nikki and Megan,
We are so sorry for your loss. Matthew fought a good fight against horrible odds. He will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dear Austin Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family in your time of sadness. My memories of Matthew are of him sitting in the Synergy lobby, playing his video games, while his sister Megan and my daughter Brettnee had lessons. He was a funny little boy who often kept the parents that were waiting entertained.
Rest in Peace sweet Matthew.
Steve, Nikki & Megan
Matthew was a wonderful child and I am so deeply sorry for your loss. I have no words that can properly portray the sadness I feel during this time of sorrow. My thoughts are with you during this difficult time and I will keep you all in my prayers.
We are so sorry for your loss, our prays are with you.
Steve, Nikki, and Megan
Words could not possibly express the sadness we feel for your loss. Matthew was loved deeply and his memory will be in our hearts forever.
Love Mom and Lynn
Search Light Moms wants to tell you how sorry we are for the passing of your Matthew. If there is anything that we can do for you please let us know. We as mothers understand the day to day pain as we search for answers.
Love and Blessings,
Search Light Moms
Also on Facebook
Nikki and Family,
My Family send our Thoughts and Prayers to you from Montana.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and will continue to be with you in the next part of your journey..Never have I seen such fearlessness combined with humor, during this battle for your sweet boy..xoxoxo
All my love and prayers to you…
Nikki and Steve,
You are a true example of grace and love in parenting.
We are so sorry for your loss, and you have been and will be in our prayers.
Guestbook for
Matthew Conner Austin