“Rest easy, Marine, we have the watch”

LCC’s K-9 and HMC ministry teams join more than 250 people and several organizations to honor woman who died in boating accident

​On a sunny beautiful fall day along the Fox River in McHenry, IL, two young girls walked up to Gethsemane Comfort Dog to hug and pet the sweet golden retriever. The K-9 teams were at the riverfront park as part of a memorial for a woman who had died earlier in the summer in a boating accident. The girls petted Gethsemane, and the dog gave the older one her signature hug. Before being called away so the memorial service could start, both girls received a plush comfort dog stuffie.

As the ceremony started, the two little girls could be seen clutching their stuffed dogs while they sat with their mother and other family members among a sea of people. They held their mother’s hand as one by one people walked up to the podium and talked. The speakers were talking about the girls’ aunt – Magdalena “Maggie” Jablonska.

“I didn’t know at the time that those girls were two of Magdalena’s nieces,” said one member of Gethsemane’s team. “After the memorial, both girls came back up the hill to see the dogs, and this time they were noticeably sad. They took turns with Gethsemane’s head in their lap, and they stayed as long as possible.”
​
Those two little girls were part of about 250 people who filled a grassy clearing near the banks of the overflowing river Saturday to remember their aunt – a woman gone too soon. Jablonska, a U.S. Marine veteran, was remembered as someone who was loyal, selfless, adventurous, and always willing to help.

A procession of motorcycles from the American Legion McHenry Post 491 Legion Riders rode into the park to start the ceremony. The four K-9 teams – Samson (Zion – Marengo), Abednego (Immanuel – Crystal Lake, IL), Tobias (Lord of Glory – Grayslake, IL), and Gethsemane (Lord of Glory – Grayslake, IL) – sat at attention as the riders passed in front. Jablonska’s family, friends, and fellow marines, joined by members of the Marine Corp League, Women Marines Association, American Legion, VFW, Fox Valley Young Marines, Scouts of America, Naval Sea Cadet Corp, Patriot Riders, and McHenry Police Department, came together as one – one group assembled to memorialize this remarkable woman.
 
With the river running behind them, four Sea Cadets stood at attention while fellow marines and military veterans came up to the podium to share the life and memories of Jablonska. Through all the tributes, one overarching theme came through – Jablonska was an incredible woman who was outgoing, positive, hardworking, and who brought people together. She was always ready to show up when someone needed something.

In the first two rows of chairs sat Jablonska’s fiancé, her mother, her brother, her younger sister, and her four nieces, the stuffed Comfort Dogs still held tightly in the hands of two of them. When Jablonska’s sister, Michelle Macias, spoke, the emotions ran deep. “I don’t know yet how I’m supposed to live the rest of my life without her,” she said. “But I can make sure the girls know their aunt. We will say her name, we will tell her stories, we will listen to her voice, and years from now, I want my girls still telling stories that start with ‘Remember when Madzia …’ Because as long as we’re telling those stories, a piece of her is still here with us.”

---

​As people listened to the words, the K-9 teams stood by, ready to provide peace and comfort to those still processing their grief. A Hearts of Mercy & Compassion cross and heart was on hand for people to share their memories and heartfelt messages to the family. For Jeff Schulman, one of Samson’s handlers, the day carried special meaning. “I was there in two capacities,” he said. “I was there as a member of our LCC Comfort Dog team, and I was also there as a retired Marine and fellow Veteran, which made the opportunity to honor Maggie’s service especially meaningful.”

 Jablonska died on July 25 when a speeding pontoon boat crashed into the smaller boat she and her fiancé were in. She died instantly, while her fiancé survived.

Although there has been much coverage about the accident, Johanna Ciezczak, president of the Women Marines Association, IL-2 Blanche S. Osborne Chapter, used the opportunity to urge everyone to remember Jablonska for the way she lived rather than how she died. “When we remember someone we’ve lost, it’s easy to let the circumstances of their death become the story,” Ciezczak said. “But that isn’t Maggie’s story. Maggie’s story is so much bigger.”

Another speaker, Major Jennifer Slown of the U.S. Marine Corps, noted that Jablonska always showed up, whether it was to help someone in need, provide companionship, or simply be someone to talk to. She challenged everyone to carry that spirit forward. “If we all live a little bit like Maggie, her memory will never be forgotten.”

Looking across the large gathering of people, VFW Chaplain Ken Hauser reflected, “Lord, as we stand together today – family, Marines, veterans, police officers, responders, friends, and caring citizens – we are reminded that one life can touch more people than we’ll ever fully understand.”

When the speakers were done, a lone bagpiper played “Amazing Grace,” a rifle detail rang out, and two McHenry High School students played “Taps” while all the military members in the audience stood. In a single file, they walked up to a large photo of Jablonska and gave her one final salute. From there, the family and all those assembled, walked to the river and threw two wreaths and flowers out onto the water in honor of their beloved fiancé, daughter, sister and aunt. As the blooms bobbed along the current and moved out into the river, people hugged, laughed, talked, and smiled, one more time in Jablonska’s memory.
​
And with the service concluding, Slown reminded those gathered that the title of Marine remains with those who have earned it, even after their service ends. “Semper Fidelis, Maggie. Rest in peace, Marine. You will not be forgotten. Fair winds and following seas.”
 
Attending the Memorial:
Jeff Schulman with Samson
Sue Schmidt and Hilde Cohen with Abednego
Jenni and Steve Hoffmeyer with Tobias
Nichole and Chelsi Todd with Gethsemane
Bruce Preston