Services Set For Adored Manhattan Girl, 14, Who 'Lit Up Room'

MANHATTAN, IL — Services have been set for a beloved Manhattan teen, whose courage amid a lifelong battle with a rare condition moved many.

Madelyn Ronaldson, 14, died Dec. 18 after enduring juvenile Sandhoff disease, an inherited disease that progressively destroys nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.

Madelyn attended Wilson Creek Elementary School, Anna McDonald Grade School, Manhattan Junior High, and Pioneer Grove in Frankfort where she made many friends, family wrote in her obituary.

With her sister Mollie, Madelyn was a member of Project Fire Buddies, and both are beloved by the firefighter volunteers who have doted on them throughout their journey with critical illness. Their sisterhood and inherent love for life captured supporters' hearts.

"Madelyn loved all things Disney especially Frozen, spending time with her siblings and most of all Jesus," her obituary reads. "Madelyn was a joyful person who lit up the room with her smile, she was kind and gentle, the gift that she was to us we now give back to the one who created her."

Madelyn was an adored sister to Mollie, Aaron and Emma. She is survived by her siblings and parents Jeffrey and Amanda, as well as maternal grandparents Roger and Terri Toops, paternal grandparents Joe and Judy Ronaldson' aunts Missy Dilk, Anna Toops, and Kelly (Eric) Pagnucci; and her cousins Grant, Ava, Jack, Samantha, Ryan, Tanner, Lauryn, and Olivia.

Visitation will take place on Sunday, Dec. 22, from 2 to 6 p.m. at Forsythe Gould Funeral Home, 507 S. State St. Funeral service will take place Monday, Dec. 23, at 11 a.m. at Cornerstone Church of LincolnWay, 1501 Gougar Rd., in New Lenox. Madelyn will lie-in-state from 10 a.m.. until the time of her service. Madelyn will be interred at Hopewell Baptist Church Cemetery, Holton Indiana on December 26.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Miracles for Mollie and Madelyn Foundation.