Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010. Today would have been Matt's 19th birthday. We still miss him terribly. Our comfort is in knowing that so many of his many friends have graduated from high school and gone on to a life of excitement and accomplishment. Matt wanted that for all of you, and would have been with you. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers, as we do you.
On Thursday, July 15, 2010, Jill A. Cooke (Matt's mom) succumbed to grief and desperation, and took her own life. Words cannot express our sorrow. She has fulfilled her wish to join her beloved son in heaven. May God have mercy on her soul.
These montages were assembled by Michael Shield's mom, Vicki. Click on a picture for an enlarged view.
Matt's Baptism by Monsignor Murray
Matt and Mommy
Maestro Matt
Homecoming 2006
Matt with surfboard maker Jon LaLanne
Photo by Vincent Wandzura's dad, Steve
Photo by William Cooke (Matt's Uncle Wil)
The story begins: Friday, October 3, 2008, 23:19 hrs (11:19 p.m.) at the corner of Victory Blvd. and Glade Ave. in Woodland Hills, California. Click on any picture for an enlarged view
8 a.m. Saturday
2 p.m. Saturday
9 a.m. Sunday
9 p.m. Sunday
9 a.m. Tuesday
9 a.m. Tuesday
On Tuesday morning the management of the apartment building asked us to remove the memorial items because heavy equipment was being brought in to remove the tree and to repair the building and landscaping. We took everything home. All that was left was the concrete slab shown here, with the writing of his many friends.
9 p.m. Tuesday
But Matt's best friends wouldn't let it go away. They started the memorial all over again. Way to go, guys!
5 p.m. Thursday
10 a.m. Friday
One week after that awful night, the songs have ended, the ground is smooth again, but the memories linger on.
Messages from Friends (1)
Messages from Friends (2)
Click pic for
enlarged view
Click pics for
enlarged view
Messages from Friends (3)
Colors adjusted
for text clarity
Two headrests from Matt's car were found at the scene and used to send the message of love.
Saturday October 18, 2009. St. Bernardine of Sienna Catholic Church, Woodland Hills, CAlifornia
The Reception
We thank all Matt's friends for their kind support.We all miss him greatly but know that he rests in God's hands. God Bless you all.
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