Family Rallies Around 2-year-old After Mother Dies From COVID Complications

CHATHAM – Lauren Malone was known for her laughter, sincerity and love for her two-year-old daughter Ellie.

“She was a goofball,” Daniel Malone said of his sister. “A lot of that you can see in Ellie.”

Ms. Malone “put her entire life into Ellie these past two years,” her brother said. The family intends to continue that support following Ms. Malone’s untimely death July 31 due to COVID complications. She was 34 years old.

“Obviously there are going to be child care expenses to be taken care of, but also long-term support for her in terms of higher education,” Daniel Malone said. He and his wife Kendra launched a Go Fund Me campaign to raise money for Ellie; as of early this week, 355 people had donated more than $51,000 toward the $55,000 goal.

“It speaks to the impact Lauren had in a lot of people’s lives and the support people want to show Ellie,” said Daniel. “It’s going to make a huge difference.”

Born in Providence, Ms. Malone lived with her family in Virginia until they moved to the Cape in 1999. A 2008 graduate of Harwich High School, she worked at a number of local businesses, including the Wequassett Inn and Monomoy Community Services, which is run by her aunt, Theresa Malone. An artist and dancer, she was living in Chatham at the time of her death.

Ellie was the guiding light in Ms. Malone’s life, Daniel said, and the large Malone family intends to follow through with the support the toddler needs. He noted that Ellie was a new generation, the family’s first grandchild and great grandchild, and her birth was a “rallying point” for the family. They plan to use some of the money to start a 529 college fund for Ellie.

To contribute to the Go Fund Me campaign, click here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-lauren-malone-support-for-her-daughter-ellie?qid=a20b72fad306a6f431e4c4525904e03e