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Megan, at age 3. |
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Megan M. Boljesic
A Tribute From:
Gary Boljesic, Donor Uncle
On February 20, 1982, our beloved Megan was welcomed into this
world. She was a beautiful and fun loving little girl. When she was two, her
brother Matt was born and, three years later, her brother Justin. She relished
her role of being their big sister.
When she entered grade school she did very well. She was proud of
her accomplishments, especially winning many spelling bees. Her fourth grade
teacher along with her husband not only became her mentors but they also
welcomed her into their family. She was elated when the dog that followed her
home from school became a family pet. She faithfully took "Honey" for daily
walks even on the coldest winter days.
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Megan with her brothers, Matt and
Justin. |
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In middle school, her love of learning intensified, and she was
always an honors student. Megan enjoyed reading, becoming a Girl Scout, and
taking karate and Spanish lessons. She welcomed the responsibilites of being a
safety girl and a babysitter to neighborhood children.
In the ninth and tenth grade, she remained an honors student. Just
as she won the hearts of her grade school teachers, many of her high school
teachers also became her friends. She was a member of the Spanish Club and of
Upward Bound. She volunteered as a tutor to elementary school children and at a
battered women's shelter. She enjoyed working as a waitress. While on the job,
she taught a foreign speaking gentleman the alphabet. When her parents split
up, she willingly provided extensive help to her mother in caring for her
brothers.
Megan had a great sense of humor and a talent for mimicry. She
cherished traveling with her mentors. She enjoyed playing baseball, snorkeling
and scuba diving. Like most girls her age, she was fascinated by the movie "Titanic" and would return to the theater to see it countless times. As for her
favorite book and a favorite song, she chose the classics "Gone with the Wind"
and "Brown Eyed Girl" by Van Morrison. Unlike most of her peers, she chose not
to date; instead, she preferred to hang out with a group of friends.
Megan had many dreams. She wrote about them in an essay when she
was fourteen:
"Being the oldest of three children and the only girl of a
single mother, I was born a natural caretaker. Since I was in kindergarten I
have been thrilled with the idea that I could make a difference in the world.
That is when I first dreamed of working in the medical field. As I got older I
realized I wanted to be a pediatric cardiologist. I would be the first woman in
my family to ever go to college. I am very fortunate to have a Mom who
encourages my independence and supports my goals. Because of her nurturing and
high standards I have realized the extent of my potential."
Tragically, two years later, on August 26,1998, Megan's life was
cut short when she was killed in a car crash. It was at her funeral that her
family learned the extent of her kind and generous nature when a friend
revealed a secret that she shared with Megan. Cindy, a nurse who cared for AIDS
patients, told us that Megan had occasionally visited her patients and that
they lovingly referred to her as "their Princess Diana". We can only imagine
how proud she must have been. The fact that she kept the visits and the
compliment secret truly showed what was in her heart.
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Megan, at age 15. |
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When Megan received her license it was her decision to check the
organ donor box. Her decision was honored and we were informed that her corneas
were given to two women. It was just eight months ago that we learned that one
of the recipients is presently 85 years old and the other is 90 years old.
Knowing how much Megan loved her Nana and her great grandmother, we know she
would be pleased that she was able to give the "gift of sight" to these women. While she never fulfilled her dreams, her loved ones know in their
hearts that "Megan did make a difference." While time hasn't lessened the pain
of not having her in our lives, we find comfort in the love that she shared
with us and in the happiness that she gave us. Knowing of the difference that
she made in so many people's lives is also a comfort. Since June of 2000, the
year she would have graduated, her family, along with her Spanish teacher and
the Spanish Club, continue to award scholarships in her memory. Megan's family
also chose the beauty of the butterfly to serve as a tribute to her spirit.
"Megan, you are forever in our hearts." You are our "Angel".
Love,
Mom, Dad, Matt, Justin, Nana, Poppa and all your
aunts, uncles and cousins
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