Tag Archives: Don’t Shock Me

Maddy Massabni’s grave
Photo/Dawn Tilton Massabni

The Rumson sign says it all. It tells the singular purpose that was borne out of immense tragedy.

In bright red, the sign at the corner of River Road and Bingham Avenue flashed today, March 30, the day six years ago that 19-year-old Maddy Massabni died of menstrual toxic shock syndrome, “The Borough Recognizes March 30th as Menstrual Toxic Shock Awareness Day.”

It’s a day to look back. A day to forge forward. A sign of the time for Maddy’s memory to save lives. Educate “so others may live,” the sign adds. That’s the mission of Don’t Shock Me, the foundation created in Maddy’s memory by her mother Dawn Tilton Massabni and brother George.

“At 4:55 p.m. six years ago today forever changed our lives & they will never be the same,” Dawn said in a social media post for the foundation. “My son & I lost the most amazing beautiful person in the world, our very best friend & the person we love more than anything with all our hearts as she became an angel. Maddy was exactly what life should be. She was genuine, smart, creative, kind, caring, spirited, funny, pure sunshine, and beautiful in every single way … My sweet beautiful daughter please send your sunshine & love down to us in your magical ways.
Please continue to look over everyone you love & care about so that they may feel your presence.”

And the caring nature that emanated from Maddy continues with the foundation in its mission to educate, raise awareness and save lives.

Many remember. More learn. The sign marks the day, the remembrance, the purpose.

For more information about Don’t Shock Me, click here.

Local Life

Focus: Maddy Massabni’s Birthday Gifting

Gallery March 30, 2019 Elaine Van Develde

It was a milestone birthday meant to embrace and roll softly away with the tide, the color, the sunshine, the love, the reminder of her …

Twenty-one pink roses in hand, they walked from Maddy Massabni’s home to her favorite spot on the beach at Anchorage in Sea Bright. They were the loved ones of the Rumson teen who passed away suddenly two years ago on March 30, just three days after her 19th birthday, from toxic shock syndrome.

Maddy would have turned 21 on March 27. That’s why there were 21 pink roses, her favorite. For those who could get to the beach, there was a poem read by Maddy’s mom, Dawn, and a little celebration with hugs, tears, gratitude and a tossing of the roses into the surf Maddy so loved. Out with the tide.

Those who couldn’t be at the beach, celebrated Maddy’s 21st by creating their own home memorials, gravitating to a body of water to signify the Sea Bright spot or just displaying a single pink rose, even giving one to someone to brighten their day unknowingly with Maddy’s love.

In Maddy’s memory, a non-profit foundation dubbed Don’t Shock Me has been created to raise awareness of toxic shock and pay Maddy’s kind spirit forward. Stay tuned for more on that. In the meantime, Happy Birthday, Maddy Massabni! You are remembered.

Take a look at snippets of the celebration in photos from friends and remember … (Don’t forget to click on each to enlarge!)