In Marshfield, a ceremony was held to dedicate two new granite benches in front of the police station, made in memory of two residents.
The benches are in memory of 15-year-old David Moeykens and eight-year-old Danny Sheehan.
“Our Marshfield sons, who battled cancer so bravely,” said Police Chief Phil Tavares.
The benches were donated by Team Edna, after learning about the two boys who united a community and displayed immense courage.
“After scouting the town, Joe and Team Edna proposed to build this memorial right here at our new police station,” said Tavares. “They were so gracious in not only donating the benches, but the time in designing the project, and the material so that David and Danny’s legacy can live on in our town forever.”
Natalie Sheehan, Danny’s mother, says the community support has been tremendous for their family.
Dozens of students made signs and celebrated when Danny was sworn-in as a member of the police department, and hundreds of people lined the streets of Marshfield after his passing.
“It’s overwhelming. Especially during COVID, just seeing how people bonded within the community, and around the country, around David and around Danny,” said Natalie Sheehan. “It’s amazing.”
Now, the community has a space to reflect, and raise awareness about glioblastoma.
“I think that especially for the brain cancers that Danny and David had, they’re very rare cancers, and there’s not a lot done in terms of pediatric advocacy,” said Sheehan. “The percentage for fundraising for pediatric cancers is at or below four percent. I think advocacy is extremely important.”
Dozens of people attended the ceremony on a bright, sunny day in front of the new Marshfield Police station.
“The love and support of the community has been absolutely tremendous. I want to thank the Marshfield Police Department for organizing this event – it’s incredible,” said Lori Moeykens, David’s mother.
“I also want to thank Joe Crowley from Team Edna for designing, creating, and installing these beautiful benches. They are a spectacular monument for these boys,” said Moeykens. “David and Danny were amazing – not because they both had brain cancer – but because they shared a positive outlook on their life. They both connected and made an impact with others through their last smiles and kindness.”
She shared a story about how David and his family members would find benches in their travels, and would rate them on video blogs based on sturdiness, location, comfort, and design.
“I am positive that David would rate these benches 10 stars,” said Moeykens. “It’s appropriate that there’s the most perfect bench in the most perfect town that he loved tremendously.”
Joe Crowley founded Team Edna two years ago, with the vision of charity named in honor of his mother, Edna, who passed away at age 45 to cancer.
“Both my mom and dad passed from cancer. After riding in the Pan-Mass Challenge with my son Conor and witnessing the true meaning of giving back, we knew the path that Team Edna would take,” said Crowley.
His company, Ideal Turf Solutions of Medford, donated landscaping work for the memorial.
Mark MacDonald, President and co-owner of the MacDonald Funeral Home of Marshfield, will engrave the benches.
Marshfield Youth Hockey and the Police Relief Association each donated $500 to Team Edna, in hopes of paying it forward for the next family.
“We decided to donate this patio in the shape of a chalice. We thought it was very appropriate to be in this beautiful spot in front of the police department,” said Crowley. “At Team Edna, every dollar that we raise buys another bench. This was a special day for us.”
Natalie Sheehan, the mother of Danny Sheehan, said the support from the community, and the world has been tremendous. Photo credit: Lenny Rowe.
