Mackenzie J. DeClue

Throughout a four-year battle with brain cancer Mac DeClue found strength in the following words: His cancer could not cripple love, shatter hope, dissolve faith or destroy peace. It could not kill friendship, suppress memories, silence courage or invade the soul. Cancer could not steal eternal life or conquer his spirit. The 33-year-old Boston transplant and Columbus native not only believed this prophecy; he lived it. On December 9, 2018 cancer ultimately took his body, but that is all it is allowed to claim. Mackenzie now enjoys eternal life with his savior. His loving family gathers in warmth, peace and the laughter of fond memories; while cancer merely scampers away into the shadows. Mackenzie J. “Mac” DeClue was born Nov. 14, 1985 to Kim and Elaine DeClue. He graduated from Columbus North High School in 2004 and received his undergraduate degree from Xavier University in 2008. After college graduation, he joined Americorp and was assigned to the city of Boston, Massachusetts, where he served from 2008-2009. He fell in love with the historic city, and called it home most of his adult life. Mac enjoyed his work as a project manager for the non-profit Stand for Children from 2011 to 2014. At his passing, he was an operations manager for Northeastern University in Boston. From the time of his diagnosis, Mac chose to remain strong and positive, serving as an advocate for others, young and old, who were also battling cancer. Throughout treatment, he looked forward to attending the annual fundraising gala for Dana Farber Cancer Institute, the world-class facility in Boston where he was fortunate enough to receive treatment. Mac’s impact during his time on earth is most evident in the lives of his many friends, whom remained close and supported him during his battle. Mac cherished the close-knit relationships he kept with friends from his high school and college days, and with his “Boston family” in his home away from home. He loved writing and history, and chronicled his journey with cancer through an online blog followed by many. While visiting family, some of his favorite activities were playing with his eight nieces and nephews, attempting to school his brother in driveway basketball, and rolling his eyes at his dad’s terrible jokes. In sports, Mac remained loyal to the Midwest and was an avid Xavier Musketeer, Reds, Colts and Pacers fan. He is survived by his parents, Kim and Elaine (Pinsonneault) DeClue; siblings, Kelly (Trevor) Glick, Isaac (Kelsey) DeClue, Alison (Andrew) Vollmer; grandmothers, Martha DeClue and Elizabeth Pinsonneault; two nieces, six nephews, eight aunts, three uncles and 13 cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Leonard DeClue and Luke Pinsonneault. Mackenzie DeClue chose burial by inurnment. A full Catholic funeral mass will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday, December 15 at Saint Bartholomew Catholic Church in Columbus, with an opportunity to pay respects and visit family from 11 a.m. to service time. Memorial donations in Mac’s honor may be made to cancer research efforts at Dana Farber Cancer Institute, www.dana-farber.org.