Oct. 11, 1997

A LIFE STORY

Gentle spirit put peace, art first

OBITUARY: Independent, loving Brittany Madore, 16, was wise beyond her years.

BY ROBIN HINCH
The Orange County Register

She was one of the canyon kids — beautiful, free-spirited, artistic and spiritual. She decorated her walls with her intricate line drawings, dripped colorful candle wax down one wall. She liked to burn incense while listening to James Taylor or The Doors.

Brittany Madore and her friends didn't hang out at malls, didn't ogle surfers at the beach. They took long walks in the Silverado Canyon wilderness just a few feet from their tree- and vine-shrouded homes, picnicked and burned sage and shared secrets.

She was 16, and very much her own person. Sixteen, and way too young to die.

Brittany died Wednesday, apparently of meningococcal meningitis. She developed flu-like symptoms, then a rash. She was rushed to the hospital, but the virulent infection had already raced through her slender body and she died nine hours later.

The pain of her quick and sudden death contrasted sharply with the bliss of her quick and easy birth. Brittany's mom, Susan, was rushed to Chapman Hospital in Orange and gave birth to her third child in just 12 minutes. It was a preview of life with one of those children who instill only joy and pride in their parents.

She was thoughtful, helpful and well-meaning — independent of thought and spirit, but never to the point of rebellion. Her pastimes were peaceful ones — arts, crafts and dance. She'd started dancing when she was 4, was on toe in ballet and also studied tap and jazz.

With an odd mixture of brambles brought back from her canyon walks she would weave beautiful wreaths to decorate the house or give to friends. She never bought a greeting card, and no one would have wanted her to. Her handmade ones were so much better.

The 1,200 residents of Silverado Canyon are like a family, and nearly everyone knew and loved Brittany, who grew up in the picturesque, wooded canyon. They plan to change the name of Silverado Community Park to Brittany Park in her memory.

A junior at El Modena High School in Orange, she was an OK student, but a standout as a friend. She always tried to befriend the kid others left out, or to buck up the student who seemed depressed. She wasn't a campus activist, didn't join clubs or other extracurricular activities, but everyone knew Brittany — the sweet girl with a ready smile and dancing dark eyes.

School didn't really interest her all that much. She was mature beyond her years, having grown up with siblings nine and 12 years her senior. She felt more comfortable in the adult world. She loved the canyon, and didn't like spending time in the city.

She said she wanted to be a masseuse. Dancing, she said, was ``just for leisure.''

Material things took a back seat in Brittany's life. She wasn't that interested in clothes (as long as she had her Dr. Martens 14- eyelet lace-ups). She was in no hurry to get her driver's license, although her interest was increasing with a neighbor's used car in the offing. If money was to be spent, Brittany preferred to buy art materials.

Her drawings were fanciful, complex depictions of fairies and colorful mushrooms or intertwined plants and animals. With clay she sculpted stylized female nudes.

She had a gentle spirit that sought peace in every situation. If her mother was crabby and barked at her, Brittany would ask, ``What's wrong, Mom?'' and could always get her to talk things out.

Brittany knew no rancor, held no grudges. You could tell that by the way she said goodbye. ``Love you!'' she'd tell her friends or family as she sailed out the door.

Love you, too, Brittany.

She is survived by her parents, Susan and Steven; sister, Lisa; brother, Casey; and grandparents, Delmer and Millie Morris, and Erma and Gene Madore.

Services, under direction of Fairhaven Memorial Park and Mortuary, Santa Ana, are at 1 p.m. today at Calvary Chapel of the Canyon, Silverado Canyon.

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Robin Hinch welcomes suggestions for life stories. Call her at (714) 565- 6082 or send E-mail to robinh@link.freedom.com

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