Moved On

We are saddened to announce that McKenzie Rose Stothers died on Sunday, November 5, 2023. The loss we feel is profound, but we know that McKenzie has moved on to her next realm and is now Queen of a magical land, free of pain, tubes, and lethargy. She can run and fly, eat whatever she wants, and enjoy her days to the fullest with Goldy by her side. 

McKenzie is survived by her beloved parents, Dale and Melonie Stothers, her big brother, Phineas Stothers, grandparents, Richard and Evelyn McKenzie and Dale and Shirley Stothers, aunts and uncles Courtney and Gregory McKenzie-Moore and Marie and Mike Perron, cousins Sabrina and Xavier Mckenzie-Moore, Anthony O'Connor, and Cadie and Alexis Perron, her puppy Lady, and her kitties, Jacks and Willa. McKenzie is also survived by an extensive extended family, countless friends, and many supporters.

McKenzie, McK, or Izzy as she has been known was born with complex heart defects and 22q Deletion Syndrome. She fought to live for almost 16 years (dying one day shy of the 16th anniversary of her diagnoses), but she never let her diseases define her. Instead, McKenzie was defined by a full imagination, determination, and love. Izzy was bursting with love and endless hugs.

McK was a lover of music, especially Taylor Swift and Signing Time. She started many days listening to American Authors' "Best Day of My Life." Izzy was called the Dancing Queen for a reason. She even danced strapped in a hospital bed. She was dancing to signing time even near the end. 

McK surrounded herself in all things Disney, Harry Potter, magical, and regal. Books were McK's escape or her world, depending upon how you looked at it. She loved Hogwarts, Narnia, "The Girl Who Drank the Moon", "The Graveyard Book", and any story that gave her all the feels. No matter what book we were reading, Izzy could find a character that fit her. She was Hermione (from "Harry Potter"), Fyrian (from "The Girl Who Drank the Moon"), and Queen McKenzie from the stories McK wrote about herself in Envansia, including the recently published "The Villains' Revenge." 

McK knew that she had lived millions of years in hundreds of worlds and bodies. In this world, where magic was scarce, her job was to teach all of us to be believers in magic. While she knew she was dying in this land, where nobody could give her a magic wand to cure her ails, she was also certain that her next world, McKenzie's Magical Island, would be full of magic.

As a 7 and 8 year old, Izzy had missions given to her by her chief, Bod (Nobody Owens, from "The Graveyard Book"). She had to save the world on her own. That is why she couldn't sleep at night--she was too busy. No matter how we tried to convince her that she didn't have to save the world herself and that sleep was important, she insisted that she must. What Izzy never accepted, despite us telling her over and over, is that she had already saved the world through her infectious smile, generous spirit, strength to survive, and amazing stories.

McKenzie was an author. Her library, Booktopia, is filled with books she wrote and the house has countless notebooks and journals with story fragments, diary entries, and mission logs. Even near the end, when McKenzie couldn't write things down, she was still telling us stories and editing those written previously. McKenzie's imagination was boundless. When she was a toddler, we had to call her Mickey (the mouse) or Thomas (the train) for six months straight because she stayed in character even then.

McK's comfort on hard days was "Once Upon a Time" (she watched the entire series several times), "Just Add Magic" (cooking and magic!), Disney Junior (Elena and Sophia were old friends), listening to stories, re-watching beloved movies, her pets, and most importantly, her big brother. Phineas has been McK's best friend since the beginning. The two had a bond like no other.

McKenzie loved food--all food. She loved to try food and make food. When she was little, she wanted to a be a chef (and an author). Ice cream was her favorite, followed by Mexican food and anything with a spicy kick or a sauce. Better yet, give her a spicy, sassy sauce and she was happy. Each time we eat ice cream, jambalaya, coney dogs, onion rings, grilled sandwiches, or tostadas, we'll think of McK.

The celebration of McKenzie's life will be held at AJ Desmond & Son's Price Chapel, 3725 Rochester Rd, Troy, MI 48083. Visitation will be Friday, November 10, 2023 from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm. 

Funeral service will be Saturday, November 11, 2023 at 1:00 pm (short visitation before starting at 11:30 am) also at AJ Desmond & Son's Price Chapel.

All are welcome to help us celebrate McKenzie's life. Please wear bright colors, blues and glitter, as McKenzie loved those the most. McK didn't want us to be sad at her funeral. We told her that wouldn't be possible, but we'd like to keep the service in line with how McKenzie lived her life--a bright, glittering spot of happiness twinkling in the dark.

Should you desire to contribute to a memorial, the family is making plans to continue McKenzie's philanthropic legacy. Donations to the family will be used in their plans moving forward. An announcement will be made in the future.