Meaghan Victoria Burandt

Our precious daughter, Meaghan Victoria Burandt was raised to heaven on Sunday, January 21, 2018. Gone too soon, with a bright future ahead, our hearts are broken.
Meaghan was born on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 1994 in Norfolk Virginia. What a gift from God she was to our family and her friends. Meaghan was baptized April 18, 1995, received her first holy communion May 17, 2003 and was confirmed with the name "Rose" October 24, 2009. Meaghan loved the sky, the stars, the moon, the ocean and the beauty of the earth. Meaghan was particularly fond of sunsets. Meaghan was a true empath ~ she felt deeply with a prophetic understanding of the future that was beyond her years.
Meaghan's love of water lead her to join The YMCA Stingrays Swim Team in Lindenhurst, Illinois where she swam for several years. Meaghan was a Girl Scout. Meaghan attended Prince of Peace Catholic School in Lake Villa from Kindergarten through 8th Grade. Meaghan played volleyball and basketball for the Prince of Peace Apaches. Meaghan graduated from Carmel Catholic High School in 2013. Meaghan created life-long friendships in grade school and high school. Meaghan moved to Tempe, Arizona in the Fall of 2013 to attend Arizona State University (ASU). Such a fitting location as the sun is always shining in Arizona; just as gorgeous as Meaghan's smile. Meaghan was always helping others. Meaghan's goal was to become a psychiatrist. Meaghan was to graduate from ASU with a Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology in May, 2018. Meaghan looked forward to graduation with her friends in Arizona.
Meaghan found love, friendship and happiness in 2017 with Christian J. Hicks. Christian and Meaghan adopted a cute kitten, Maui, and the three of them were living together in Tempe with plans for a long future together. Christian is now a member of our family forever.
Meaghan had many friends because she was a great friend to all. Meaghan made everyone around her better. She thought of others before herself. Meaghan was support for many. She was sensitive, kind, smart and caring. Meaghan was strong in her convictions and beliefs; always standing up for justice and what was right. Meaghan was beautiful inside and out. Meaghan had exquisite taste. Meaghan was very creative. Her journals shared her depth of thought and complexity of her vision. Meaghan captured many memories in photos and videos. Meaghan had a deep love of music and enjoyed all genres. Meaghan enjoyed attending concerts. Meaghan most enjoyed listening to unique alternative music, Indie music and 90's hits especially on vinyl.
Meaghan was truly an angel on earth and we believe God needed another angel in heaven to help us all. Meaghan is deeply loved and will always be on our minds and forever in our hearts.
Meaghan is survived by her parents – Jeffrey Scott Burandt and Kathleen Gail (Klbecka) Burandt, her brother, Jonathan Jeffrey Burandt, grandmothers Kathleen Francis (Connelly) Burandt and Mary Ellen Patricia (O'Connell-Klbecka) Vondrak and Frank Vondrak. Uncles and Aunts: Charles B. Burandt, Robert J. Klbecka, Kevin P. Klbecka and Stacy (Levi) Klbecka, Christine E. Burandt, Christopher J. Klbecka, Keith T. Klbecka and Rentate (Linde) Klbecka, Maureen G. (Klbecka) Marchese and Thomas Marchese, Erin R.(Burandt) Ezzo and Paul Ezzo. Cousins: Katie Guzzo, Shannon Burandt, Ashley Klbecka, Kyle Klbecka, Cody Burandt, Danielle Mortell, Emme Klbecka, Jack Klbecka, Connor McElderry, Alex Klbecka, Morrigan Marchese, Maddison Marchese and Monnahan Marchese. Meaghan is preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, Robert J. Klbecka and her paternal grandfather, Charles Burandt.
Family was very important to Meaghan. She loved when we were together. Many more extended family members and our friends will love Meaghan forever.
Our family is sincerely grateful for the support, love and kindness extended to us by so many during this most difficult time.

Please join us for a Memorial and Celebration of Meaghan's Life:
Symond's Funeral Home
111 W. Belvidere Road
Grayslake IL 60030
847-543-1080
Friday, February 9, 2018 Visitation 4:00 – 8:00pm
Saturday, February 10, 2018 Visitation 12:00 and Celebration of Life 1:00pm
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Meaghan's honor to both of these most worthy recipients: Hannah Messer and 7 Cups of Tea. If possible, Meaghan would want your donation split evenly to ensure both receive the support that they deserve. If you prefer, you may write a check to Jeff and Kathleen and we will make the donations on your behalf to both Hannah and 7 Cups of Tea.
Please use this link to see Hannah's video and donate: https://www.gofundme.com/hannahkickscancersbutt
Please use this link to watch a video to learn more about 7 Cups of Tea and to donate:
https://www.7cups.com/backus/
Hannah Messer is a dear friend of Meaghan's who began a battle with cancer in March, 2017 when she was diagnosed with a rare form of Non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Hannah is 24 years old and a 2016 graduate of ASU; just beginning the next chapter of her adult life. Since Hannah's diagnosis, she has gone through chemo, radiation and was preparing for a stem cell transplant. Unfortunately, none of those treatments have been successful. The week of Meaghan's passing Hannah was heading to Stanford in California and MD Anderson in Texas for consultations for a treatment regimen called CAR T-Cell therapy. Currently there are only 10 facilities in the US that are approved to administer the treatment. The process will most likely involve being out of state for a couple of months for the treatment and related follow-ups. Hannah remains positive and courageous as she continues to fight the good fight. Your donation will be used by Hannah to offset medical and travel costs associated with her cancer treatment. Please help Hannah beat cancer; Meaghan would want to see her return to full health.
7 Cups of Tea – Meaghan's generous spirit and desire to help others lead her to become an active listener for 7 Cups of Tea. "7 Cups is a caring and compassionate community of people who are walking together on the path of leading better and healthier lives. The trained active listeners on the site volunteer to provide emotional support to those who are struggling. People can share what's on their mind without any fear of judgment or stigma anonymously and in a confidential setting. Chatting with listeners is absolutely free and help is available round the clock." 7 Cups helps 100,000 people per week in 140 languages and 189 countries.
Over the past few weeks, Meaghan was training to be an active listener. Meaghan was one hour away from beginning her ability to share her compassionate, kind heart to others who needed support. Active listeners may earn badges for their work with others who need an ear to listen. We are humbled and honored to share that 7 Cups has created a badge in Meaghan's honor ~ "Meaghan's Heart" ~ for help seekers who earn compassion hearts from others. People give compassion hearts to those who show kindness and compassion towards them. As a help seeker, earning a compassion heart is a matter of pride because you are willing to support others in your time of adversity. This is for all the bravehearts in the community.
Your donation will honor Meaghan and will be used by 7 Cups to keep their mission alive with continued site development, investment in servers and management of the many communities associated with this fabulous organization.

Arrangements entrusted to Tempe Mortuary.