Loving, hero, compassionate, funny, kind
Though Megan had a strong personality and would let you know where you stood with her, it was tempered with her kindness, compassion and her desire to be helpful to everyone, even during her own difficulties. She loved to see people happy and was equally passionate about the prospect of making a good future for her and her children.
Before her substance use disorder became unmanageable, Megan was a Licensed Certified Nurse Assistant at a nursing home, where she loved to get to know the people she served and provide quality care for them. Megan’s younger sister, Amanda felt cared for by Megan as well. She has a fond memory of being afraid to sleep alone as a child; she would crawl into bed with her sister and always feel safe and protected.
Though Megan struggled, she took every opportunity to reach out to others. She would encourage people to get into recovery, even as she silently suffered. She eventually wanted to get treatment, and then go back to school to major in Human Services to work with mothers with substance use disorder.
Days before her death, Megan was finally ready to commit to treatment and reached out to Amanda asking for help. Amanda was able to secure a bed in a treatment facility for the next day and was scheduled to pick Megan up at 4PM. She planned to bring both Megan and her year old daughter to Asheville to start a new life, free from drugs. Instead, Amanda got a call that morning from the medical examiner that Megan had passed away.
“My sister died the same day she was coming to treatment,” Amanda said, “She was so close to freedom.” When she went to her sister’s apartment all of her belongings were packed and she was ready to go toward her new life. “Now, she will be forever 35.”
Amanda misses Megan’s smile, her laughter and their nightly face time chats. She also misses her words of encouragement and support, and feels even more committed to her own recovery to honor her sister.
Megan’s sister, Amanda Daves, provided the information for this narrative.
March 28, 1984 – December 6, 2019
Age 35 – Lived with addiction 18 years
