ForeverMissed
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This memorial website was created in memory of our loved one, Matthew McEachen, 25 years old, born on February 9, 1986, and passed away on February 22, 2011. We will remember him forever.
February 10, 2023
February 10, 2023
Today would have marked Matthews 37th birthday. Wow - 37, what would Matti be doing, what would he be like? These are questions we will ask for our life time, every birthday, every earthquake anniversary, every single day of our lives. As a family Bruce Sarah and I continue to have wild guesses, would be be married - probably yes, would he have children, probably yes. It is all guess work. I always find it hard to see young men that would be Matthews age and visualise what our yong a would be like, what would he be doing. Always IF ONLY. I cant stress enough how much I miss his smiley face, his very funny sense of humour. His physical being, his wit and intelligence. I want to share so much with him, and I know if he could be here with us now he would be. If you are reading this somewhere in another world Matti, know that you are missed more than words could ever say and in a heart beat, I would give my life to see you one more time, to have you back. I love you so much Matti. Rest in peace, prepare for our arrival one of these days. I hope you are loved, warm, happy and safe. Until then XXXX 
February 10, 2022
February 10, 2022
It’s been almost11 years and yesterday Matt would have been 36. Such a grown up man whom I would love to have back, any day any time. Wow, what I wouldn’t give to have that beautiful soul back. So much has happened in 11 years, so much life missed out on by our lovely Son. His sister has a house, married and expecting a baby any day. It doesnt matter what happens each year, Matt will always be part of our day. Every single day he comes into my thoughts, what he would look like, what amazing achievements he would have made,. i cherish the photos of you around our house Matti, loved more and more …… never ever forgotten. Xxx
February 23, 2021
February 23, 2021
Ten years ago Matti was taken from us. This year is just like the 1st year, the 2nd, the 3rd. It never gets easier. Let no one tell you any different. My emotions are so raw this year I wonder how much more I could take. I want to be able to stop crying, to accept what has happened but somehow I cant. I love to remember you, to share your memories, I dont want to ever forget you, all those funny little quirky things you did, your quick wit and all the funny things you would do and say, I could talk about you all day. But it hurts so much. I want to tell you sarah got married, and your spirit was so much part of her special day. She is such a strong young woman, you would be so very proud of her. You two had such an amazing unique relationship. I was so proud of you both. I guess in another 10 years I will still be mourning your loss. I wonder if it will ever get easier? I love you so much Matti.
February 10, 2021
February 10, 2021
Today our Son would have 35 years old. Where have those 10 years gone? Sometimes they drag and feel forever to pass, other times they fly by and before we know it, I struggle to accept the fact that 10 years ago he was taken from us all through the selfish unprofessionalism of one man, Chris Chapman from harcourts. He will never suffer the way we have. I miss Matthew every single day. Not one day goes by where I dont think of him. The man he would have grown into, married? Children? We will never know. If you are reading this in heaven my darling, know you will be forever missed, forever loved and living inside of us all, your memories will be cherished forever. 
February 24, 2020
February 24, 2020
Another year has come around. Now 2020. Lots has happened and I feel really sad that you are not here to share in these moments with us. I miss your everything, the way you used to come home and slam the door as you came in and slam the door when you went out laughing. The way we would go to the movies and you would forget I was your mum, and put your arm around me like I was your hot date! I loved that. Your quirkey little jokes, your amazing advice and listening skills, the way you would put chop sticks under your top gum and try to eat Chinese. i miss you, I miss you, I miss you. Sarah is getting married in 5 weeks and what I wouldn’t give to have you along side me walking me down the isle as Dad walks sarah down to meet her groom. You would approve of her Matthew I am sure. Please be with us in this time, give me strength . I cant imagine how you would be looking at now 34, maybe married, maybe children .... i feel sad you have missed out on so much, to no fault of your own. Remember my love for you, will never ever leave me. Love you Matt.Mum xxx
February 22, 2019
February 22, 2019
8 years ago today, our lives were changed forever. A journey I wouldn’t wish on anyone. Not an easy journey, when someone you love with all your heart, goes off to work on a normal day, and never comes home. Mother Nature can be cruel, we never thought an earthquake would strike you down. We never saw you agin, but i see your image as i go to sleep at night, and i think of you as i wake in th morning. I speak of you, i see reminders of you, but it doesnt bring you back. I love you matt. We love you matt. You will never ever be forgotten. Xxxxx
February 11, 2019
February 11, 2019
It has now been almost 8 years since we have seen you Matti. You will never know, no one will know how much we all miss you so much. I have come to the conclusion that we cant eat what has happened, it makes me sad every time i think of it. This should never have happened to you. At least Mother Nature should have taken me and not you. Far too early when your life was just beginning and you were so happy. So much of life you have missed out on. I miss you so so much Matti and you are still in my thoughts every single day, you are the one I think of whe I wake in the morning and the one I think of as I sleep at night. We will always love you Matti. Xxx
February 10, 2019
February 10, 2019
Hard to believe that 33 years ago I gave birth to the most wonderful spiritual Son anyone could have ever wished for. You were our dream, but you were taken from us far too soon. It just isn’t fair as life wont give you back to us and every day I log to see you again. Next time I see you Matti, I will not let you go. If only I could have done something to have protected you, even if I were taken instead of you. But i know now that we cant turn back the clock but to live with this grief is not very easy. I just want you to know Matti that we will always love you, and we think of you and talk of you every day. Love you lots xxxxxxx
February 23, 2018
February 23, 2018
Another year has passed. Hard to believe it has been 7 years already. Sometimes it feels like a life time. Other times, just like yesterday. Each year on the anniversary of your passing, it stabs us in the heart like you just wouldn’t believe. I feel i cry al day and feel very sensitive almost all of February, Will it ever get easier? I guess each day we learn to live with the grief keep busy and try not to dwell on the past, but you were suc a kind loveling soul, how does one not get angry at life when someone who means so much is just taken from you in such tragic circumstances. I hope you did not suffer Matt, I hope you are waiting at the pearly gates of heaven to greet us one day, in a year, so much happens, sarah has bought a house, and a dog. You’d love the dog, and would probably be living under Sarah’s roof. You woukd be so proud of her. So proud of your Dad and all he has achieved in his plight for justice and accountability for the property manager who did not tell you how unsafe the building was. If he had only done his job - none of us would be suffering like this. You would be proud of me for making your friends, part of our family and welcoming them into our homes. God I miss you Matt. What I wouldn’t give to see you just for a minute. Love you forever my darling. Xxx
February 9, 2018
February 9, 2018
Today dear Matti you would have been 32. It often feels like a lifetime since you were taken from us, other times it feels like only yesterday. So much happens in a full year, then other times it feels like we are just bide’ing time until we meet again. The pain Sarah goes through is undercribeable, then your dad, suffers so much but often in silence. And for me, not one day goes by when I dont think of you and wish we were together again. I hope God is keeping you safe warm and loved and i long for the day we are together again. A Mum should never never be apart from her son. Miss you and love you for ever my darling. Xxx
February 9, 2017
February 9, 2017
Yesterday Matthew would have turned 31. We had all his friends around for the evening. I sometimes feel I have lost a son but gained many half sons! It is sad to think Matt would have been part of the group, such nice things were spoken of Matt, and I know they were all true. He was a kind gentle young soul, not a mean bone in his body. I will never understand why it was him who was taken, life will never be the same and we miss him more every year. One day dear Matti, I pray we will nmeet up again. Love you always Mum xxx
February 22, 2016
February 22, 2016
Dear matti. Today was the fifth anniversary of your passing. Sometimes it feels just like yesterday that we saw you. Other times it drags on and I just want to go to sleep and wake up beside you hoping this is a nightmare. But, that never happens. Our lives will never be the same. We remember you daily and your name is in our conversations all the time. This new "normal" life, will never be the normal that we knew. Our lives and changed forever. We will always remember you, always love you, always cherish your memories. Xx
February 9, 2016
February 9, 2016
Dear matti, today you would have turned thirty. Wow, what a milestone for you to reach, but it was not to be. No one understands grief like a mother who has lost a son, and you my darling, are thought about every single day. I will always love you, will never forget you, you live on in my heart and there are signs out there that you are close. Please always send me these signs. Love you forever. Xxx
February 22, 2015
February 22, 2015
Yesterday was the fourth anniversary of your passing. My heart still aches more than you can ever imagine. It does not get any easier as time passes. The way I see it is that every day that passes hopefully will be a day closer to seeing you again. I think if you every day, I see your photo around me and I carry one with me all the time. My heart is truly broken and can never mend. Yesterday was another emotionally draining day. I left sun flowers at harewood crematorium, the tree where you lost your life in Colombo street, at the public memorial service and the seat that we placed near our home. I hope your heart is facing the sun, you are happy and warm, and still living the dream like you used too. I love you my precious son. Xxxxx
February 9, 2015
February 9, 2015
Today you would have been 29 and we will never see your glowing face. Happy birthday darling. I always remember when you used to come home you would fly though the door slamming it behind you !!! Hi family, I'm home. I used to love that. Loving you always darling. Xxx
February 9, 2014
February 9, 2014
Missing you every day Matt. You would have been 28 today. We will never see you fall in love, get married, have a mortgage ! Or have children of your own. I try to think of the good times we had together, and we had so many of them didn't we ! But I would give my life in an instant if I knew it would bring you back. I would give my life to see you for just one second. I love you matti. Mum xxx
July 20, 2013
July 20, 2013
Matti was the most amazing son anyone could have ever wished for. He was selfless, loving, caring, compassionate and he was everyone's best friend. His talents extended from a barista and a musician to an artist and tattooist. He loved his life. He loved his job. His family and friends were the most important things in his life. In his words, He was "living his dream". We miss you Matt. Xx

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February 10, 2023
February 10, 2023
Today would have marked Matthews 37th birthday. Wow - 37, what would Matti be doing, what would he be like? These are questions we will ask for our life time, every birthday, every earthquake anniversary, every single day of our lives. As a family Bruce Sarah and I continue to have wild guesses, would be be married - probably yes, would he have children, probably yes. It is all guess work. I always find it hard to see young men that would be Matthews age and visualise what our yong a would be like, what would he be doing. Always IF ONLY. I cant stress enough how much I miss his smiley face, his very funny sense of humour. His physical being, his wit and intelligence. I want to share so much with him, and I know if he could be here with us now he would be. If you are reading this somewhere in another world Matti, know that you are missed more than words could ever say and in a heart beat, I would give my life to see you one more time, to have you back. I love you so much Matti. Rest in peace, prepare for our arrival one of these days. I hope you are loved, warm, happy and safe. Until then XXXX 
February 10, 2022
February 10, 2022
It’s been almost11 years and yesterday Matt would have been 36. Such a grown up man whom I would love to have back, any day any time. Wow, what I wouldn’t give to have that beautiful soul back. So much has happened in 11 years, so much life missed out on by our lovely Son. His sister has a house, married and expecting a baby any day. It doesnt matter what happens each year, Matt will always be part of our day. Every single day he comes into my thoughts, what he would look like, what amazing achievements he would have made,. i cherish the photos of you around our house Matti, loved more and more …… never ever forgotten. Xxx
February 23, 2021
February 23, 2021
Ten years ago Matti was taken from us. This year is just like the 1st year, the 2nd, the 3rd. It never gets easier. Let no one tell you any different. My emotions are so raw this year I wonder how much more I could take. I want to be able to stop crying, to accept what has happened but somehow I cant. I love to remember you, to share your memories, I dont want to ever forget you, all those funny little quirky things you did, your quick wit and all the funny things you would do and say, I could talk about you all day. But it hurts so much. I want to tell you sarah got married, and your spirit was so much part of her special day. She is such a strong young woman, you would be so very proud of her. You two had such an amazing unique relationship. I was so proud of you both. I guess in another 10 years I will still be mourning your loss. I wonder if it will ever get easier? I love you so much Matti.
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