Support for Matthew Daugherty's Family

My name is Donna Daugherty and I am the proud mother of Matthew Joseph Daugherty 24 years old. Matthew was an Operations Mechanic for Nicor gas and loved his job so much. I am the first time Grandma to Madelyn 7 months old and step grandma to Emma and Bella. My son chose Sara Diericks as his partner in life. They started dating again on 8/2/23 after they lost touch when Matthew moved and changed schools. He attended Shepard High School and Lincoln Way East. They were raising a family and planning their future together. On January 10th Matthew was at home recovering from RSV when he had an asthma attack. Matthew had a history of low oxygen during these attacks so 911 was called immediately. Matthew had gone into cardiac arrest while the paramedics were working on him. They worked on him for over an hour before his heart came back. Matthew was rushed to the hospital in Olympia Fields and latter transferred to Rush Hospital downtown. He was stable with a good heart beat but a scan showed bleeding on the brain. Rush hospital was the best choice to try to help him. Between transporting him there and doing more scans when he arrived the tide of hope shifted. Matthew’s brain had swelled and was herniating. My boy’s body was here but his mind was gone. Just like that we were told there was no hope and that all his organs where being to shut down starting with his kidneys. We had a decision to make. Keep him alive on machines and torture his body to comfort us or to peacefully lily let him go. As a parent this was the hardest decision to make. Matthew was surrounded by his parents, sister, partner in life, Aunt, and best friend. Matthew passed away January 11, 2025 @ 5:05 AM. On Sunday January 12th the baptism was scheduled for the three girls instead it was canceled and funeral arrangements are being made to say goodbye to wonderful young man who was our son, a overprotective brother, a loving companion, and extraordinary father. Matthew was full of life and had so much to give the world. Matthew was also devote Chicago Cubs and Blackhawks fan! Matthew we LOVE you.