Pocatello children lose both their parents to unrelated deaths within 48 hours - East Idaho News
Pocatello

Pocatello children lose both their parents to unrelated deaths within 48 hours

  Published at  | Updated at

POCATELLO — The community is rallying around two local children who tragically lost both of their parents within two days of each other.

Shane Peck, 34, died on May 16 following a medical emergency. Family members say Lindsey Peck, 32, died soon after on May 18 from an infection that caused her body to shut down.

The couple left behind two children — Auston, 14, and Melessa, 8 — and now family, friends and community members are trying to help them cope with their loss.

“The community has helped shine some light onto this otherwise challenging time,” Lacy Parker, Lindsey’s sister, wrote in an email response to the Journal.

She says Melessa’s class at Lewis & Clark Elementary School gave her a blanket, cards expressing their love and support, and a shirt with the autographs of everyone in her class.

“Her classroom teachers and administration at the school have displayed a huge amount of love and support during this challenging time,” Parker wrote.

Auston has also received support from his peers.

“Auston is very social and the support and outreach of the children at his school has allowed him to feel some comfort during these past few days,” Parker wrote.

The family has set up an online fundraiser, “Peck Family Heartbreaking Tragedy,” at https://www.gofundme.com/peck-family-heartbreaking-tragedy. As of Tuesday night, 58 people had donated a combined $4,075 to help the children as they transition to a new life.

In lieu of flowers for Shane and Lindsey, the family is asking for donations to help their children.

“These two little children have a long road of change and transition ahead of them and your support is and will be received with much appreciation,” Parker wrote.

Additionally, she’s asking kids to send heartwarming pictures and notes to Melessa and Auston. Those interested can contact Parker through the GoFundMe site for more information.

“We have special memory boxes that the children are putting these sentiments in and Melessa has been seen reading these notes of support over the last several days,” Parker wrote.

She describes Auston as respectful and kindhearted, just as his parents raised him to be. He’s also brave and a bit of a daredevil, who likes to ride roller coasters at Lagoon and perform tricks on the trampoline.

“Auston is a huge support for his sister and their connection is simply amazing, he is tender-hearted toward her and displays strength that most children his age will never experience,” Parker wrote.

She describes Melessa as a “gentle sweetie pie, who walks around humming and singing sweet tunes just like her mother used to when she was a child.”

The family says Lindsey had a special bond with Auston, and she loved having Melessa to cuddle and doll up.

“Lindsey frequently spoke to others about her joy for motherhood which brought a sense of completeness to her days,” according to her obituary.

Lindsey and Shane were childhood friends and they eventually married in August of 2007, according to Lindsey’s obituary.

“Shane was the love of Lindsey’s life and their passion and dedication to one another is an example of ‘true love,’” the obituary states.

Lindsey had Auston during a previous marriage, but Shane always treated him as his own, according to family members.

“He often referred to Auston as being his ‘first born and one and only son,’” the obituary states.

Sadly, this is the second time that Auston has lost a father. His biological dad also died when he was younger, according to Parker.

Memorial services for Lindsey will take place on Thursday at Wilks Funeral Home in Chubbuck at 2 p.m.; a viewing will take place prior to that at 12:30 p.m. Graveside services will be held at the Inkom Cemetery.

“Shane Peck’s remains will rest beside his wife at these services where they will be laid to rest together,” according to the obituary. “A portion of Shane’s remains are being set aside for a more intimate Celebration of Life with close family and friends.”

Parker says her family is grateful for all of the support they’ve received in recent days.

“Our family has appreciated the love, support, acts of selflessness and contributions thus far,” she wrote. “We find it difficult to articulate how grateful we truly are without being overwhelmed with emotion.”

This article was originally published in the Idaho State Journal. It is used here with permission.

SUBMIT A CORRECTION