Remembering Josiah

 

Recently, our Plano community suffered an inconceivable tragedy – the murder of a mom, Stacy Fawcett, her 17-year-old son, Josiah, a strapping, lovable friend to all who knew him, and the suicide of her other son, McCann, 19, who took his own life after he took theirs.  My son, Bryce, described the scene at Plano West, as news of Josiah’s unimaginable death leaked out. Silence.  Complete and utter silence.  Then sobs.

How it happened and why it happened were ultimately replaced by what happened next.  A community of friends and strangers alike coming together to grieve, to mourn and ultimately to remember their friends. Parents hearing the news, racing to the schools to hug and comfort their own children, their kids’ friends, teachers and other parents.  It was our own ground zero.

The outpouring of love from the community was nothing short of incredible, as we joined to conceive of the inconceivable.  Funds and feelings flowing in support of the remaining family most of us didn’t even know.   Teens gathering to console each other and to create personal memorials at the fountain at Plano West.

As parents, we would hold our own kids ever closer in the days to come, encourage them to express their pain, and ultimately honor his memory by healing.

Stacy: We will remember you as a defender of the hungry and as a mom who loved her children deeply.

McCann: We cannot imagine the pain you must have been in and we will continue to pray that you now rest in peace.

Josiah: Your friends and teachers miss you deeply and they will carry a part of you with them throughout their lives.  It will take time, a lot of time, but they will honor your memory by being stronger, finding more compassion for those around them and ultimately for finding their laughter again.

– The Good Life FAMILY

POST YOUR THOUGHTS AND REMEMBERANCES TO JOSIAH, STACY and MCCANN on our Facebook, Twitter or Instagram #RIPJosiah

Friends of Josiah Utu made T-shirts, created original art, and held impromptu vigils to honor his memory.
Pictured here: Over 400 students and teachers received this t-shirt courtesy of of some families whose children played basketball at PSA together. Special thanks to The Bryce Pidgeon Family, The Niko Prokos Family, The Kahrej Alluwallia Family, The Eric Schein Family and The Blake Heckel Family.

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