MUSKEGON, MICHIGAN — A gathering was held at the Matejovitz residence in Muskegon, Michigan, on the scheduled date of Emily Matejovitz's high school graduation. The event included organ recipients who received her heart and kidney after her death in December 2024.
Emily Matejovitz, 16, was found unresponsive at her home by her father on December 23, 2024. He performed CPR before medical personnel arrived. Hospital staff declared her brain dead. The family contacted Gift of Life Michigan; she was registered as an organ donor.
Landon Coleman, a teenager from Virginia, received her heart. He was born with five congenital heart defects. Ripley Ferrell, 4, from Oak Hill, West Virginia, received her kidney. Before his transplant, Ferrell received daily dialysis starting at one month of age.
Becky Smith listened to Coleman's chest with a stethoscope. "Breathtaking — knowing that my baby's heart still beats," Smith said.
"I couldn't keep up with other kids. It lets me do things that I couldn't have done before," Coleman said. "Sometimes I think — I really wish I could have met her."
"As a mother, I could not imagine losing my child. I'm so thankful that another mom helped save mine," said Audra Ferrell, Ripley's mother.
"When your child dies, your biggest fear is people are going to forget them. When I talk to Landon's family, Ripley's family — they make a point to tell people about Emily," Smith said. The recipient families established a scholarship fund in her name and donated items to local food pantries.