Dragonflies of hope: Carrying forward Whitney’s legacy as an organ donor
When Whitney passed away unexpectedly, her family chose to honor her giving spirit through organ donation. Today, her legacy lives on in the lives she saved—and in the dragonflies her parents create to comfort other grieving families.
From the very beginning, Whitney was a force of nature. Rambunctious and full of energy, she never sat still for long. She played sports, loved theater and band, and had a gift for drawing people in. Friends gathered around her naturally, and she often became the leader of the pack.
As she grew, Whitney’s spark only brightened. She carried herself with warmth, humor and a touch of sass. Her laughter was contagious, her smile magnetic. She loved life deeply —and more than anything, she loved her son, Harper. Instead of material things, Whitney treasured giving him experiences, moments they could share together.
When Harper turned 10, she gave him a gift he would never forget: a weeklong adventure in Hawaii with her, his uncle Chase, and a close family friend. They tried new foods, swam in the ocean, and even woke in the middle of the night to climb a mountain and watch the sunrise. It was a trip full of joy, exploration and love — Whitney’s last great adventure.
Not long after their return, everything changed. Whitney suffered a sudden, massive brain bleed. At the hospital, doctors explained that she would not survive.
In that moment of heartbreak, Melodie and Kevin knew what their daughter would have wanted. Whitney had always lived with generosity and compassion. She believed in giving, in helping, in lifting others up. And so, even in death, she would keep giving. Whitney became an organ donor, saving and healing lives through her final act.
Her parents have carried that legacy forward. They found purpose in supporting LifeSource and other donor families, making sure Whitney’s spirit of generosity continues to ripple outward. Melodie also began creating glass dragonflies as gifts for families walking through grief.
“There’s a story about dragonflies,” Kevin explained. Dragonflies begin life in the water as grubs. One day, some feel an impulse to rise to the surface. They climb to a lily pad, transform, and take flight. Though they cannot return to the water or explain what has happened, their journey is not over—it has simply changed.
“The fact that we cannot see our friends or communicate with them after the transformation, which we call death, is no proof that they cease to exist. There’s solace in that—whatever your beliefs may be.”
Today, Whitney is remembered as a daughter, sister, mother, and friend whose life continues to inspire. Her light shines in her son, in the lives she saved through donation, and in every person touched by her story.
“She loved life,” her parents said. “And she gave it, too.”