- Date Of Birth: July 31, 2006
- Date Of Death: March 2, 2021
- State: Pennsylvania
HOUDERMatthew Charles Houder, of Wayne, previously of Newtown Square, died on March 2, 2021 at the age of 14 years will be forever loved and missed by his parents Meghan (nee Gallagher) and D. Charles Houder; his siblings Grace, Henry and William; his paternal grandparents Bettie and Gerry Fraser and maternal grandparents Linda “aka Nana” Gallagher and Patrick (Ree) Gallagher. Matthew also leaves behind many angels in his life – the teachers, personal assistants, babysitters, therapists, nurses, doctors and friends that made his life better each and every day. As much as they did for him, each would tell you that he did even more for them.Matthew was born on July 31, 2006, and throughout his 14 1/2 years he made an impact on so many lives. Matthew attended St. David’s Nursery School, Culbertson Elementary, Russell Elementary, Paxon Hollow Middle School and Radnor Middle School. He rode horses at Quest Therapeutics in West Chester. He spent many happy months on vacation in Ocean City, New Jersey, Naples, Florida and – most of all – Captiva, Florida. He visited Canada, Boston, Vermont, Park City, Newport and San Francisco, Sonoma and Half Moon Bay, California. He even braved a blizzard to go see Hamilton on Broadway.Inspired by his remarkable relationship with his personal school aide, the Marple Newtown School District started the Matthew Houder Person of the Year Award to recognize a school staff member who made the greatest contribution to the life of the district. Matthew loved cars (they took him places and brought people to see him – what’s not to love?). That love, combined with the incredible love of some of his dear friends, allowed Matt to become a part owner of Volkswagen of Newtown Square, where he was able to be a car guy and “sample the merchandise” with his Dad and siblings.Matthew’s life and example also inspired his parents on a daily basis. Standing squarely on Matt’s shoulders, Matt’s Dad became the Chair of the Board of Visitors for Orthopaedic Surgery at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and joined the Foundation Board at CHOP. Due to Matt’s extraordinary experience in the Lankenau NICU, Matt’s Mom joined the board of trustees at Lankenau Hospital.Among Matt’s doctors was the legendary, late Robert M. Campbell, Jr. Matt and his family became close to Dr. Campbell, who allowed us to help him in his research and outreach to the FDA and other institutions, to find better ways to help children like Matt. For his efforts, Matthew received a letter of commendation from the FDA and was featured on Johnson & Johnson’s example that Matt set in his life made extraordinary things happen. After helping to raise some money for the Wayne Music Festival, Matt’s family and dear friends decided to turn the whole event into a charity to help other kids like Matthew. Thus was born the Music Is Love Foundation, which puts on community music events to raise money for children’s medical charities. Over 10,000 people came to the last Wayne Music Festival and we got to deliver one of those big oversize checks to matter what else he did, Matt was happiest when he was surrounded by family and friends (especially Nana) and he loved his iPad, chocolate milk, Eggo waffles, dogs and Clif ’s second home was the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia where he endured 37 surgeries throughout his life with grace and resiliency. While he left us at home on March 2nd, he made a final journey down to CHOP, where despite the receiving the utmost in tender care, we and our CHOP family were privileged to be together for Matt’s more remarkable person ever was.
