'I hope somehow you find peace': Fundraiser for Duxbury's Clancy family hits $1 million
DUXBURY − More than 15,000 individuals, families, corporations and citizen groups have donated a total of over $1 million for Patrick Clancy, whose wife is accused of killing their three children.
A GoFundMe page, managed and created by Matthew Glaser, had received $1 million in donations as of Thursday. The donations range from as little as $15 to as much as $7,500. A group from Massachusetts General Hospital, where Patrick's wife, Lindsay, was employed as a nurse, donated $5,125 last Tuesday.
"This GoFundMe is intended to help Pat pay for medical bills, funeral services and legal help," the page says. "This assistance is especially needed because Pat will be unable to work for the foreseeable future."
On Jan. 24, Patrick Clancy placed a 911 call reporting his wife's apparent suicide attempt. First responders found two of the three Clancy children − Cora Clancy, 5, and Dawson Clancy, 3 − dead inside the Summer Street home. A third child, 8-month-old Callan, died at Boston Children's Hospital several days later.
In a post on the fundraising page, Patrick Clancy confirmed his wife was struggling with "a condition" and asked the community's forgiveness.
“Our marriage was wonderful and diametrically grew stronger as her condition rapidly worsened,” he wrote. ”I want to ask all of you that you find it deep within yourselves to forgive Lindsay, as I have. The real Lindsay was generously loving and caring towards everyone − me, outside kids, family, friends and her patients. The very fibers of her soul are loving. All I wish for her now is that she can somehow find peace.”
In the two weeks since the deaths, the community has responded by hosting a vigil, reaching out to first responders and pushing for an increased awareness of postpartum issues such as depression and psychosis.
'Devastated and heartbroken': Duxbury gathers to pray after children killed, mother charged
More: Fundraiser for Duxbury's Clancy family raises $420,000 in first day
Posts from donors on the GoFundMe page show thousands of people who sent well-wishes.
"The hearts of parents around the world are breaking right along with you," donor Meghan Powell wrote. "As you know too well, the struggles of postpartum are all too real. Sending you prayers and our deepest condolences as you and Lindsay look to heal from this unimaginable tragedy."
“I don't know your family but I can't stop thinking about you all,” Heather Swider wrote. “I hope you all find peace and happiness again some day. Rest in the sweetest peace beautiful babies.”
“As a family who has experienced postpartum psychosis, our hearts go out to you and Lindsay,” wrote Bill and Rachael Watters, who donated $1,000. ”Our thoughts and prayers are with you both as you navigate this impossible sorrow.”
Patrick Clancy remembered Cora, Dawson and Callan in a series of heartbreaking paragraphs posted to the GoFundMe page.
“A lot of people have said they can’t imagine and they’re right, there’s absolutely nothing that can prepare you,” the post reads. “The shock and pain is excruciating and relentless. I’m constantly reminded of them and with the little sleep I get, I dream about them on repeat. Any parent knows, it’s impossible to understand how much you will love your kids until you have them. The same goes for understanding the devastation of losing them.”
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Reach Mary Whitfill at mwhitfill@patriotledger.com.
This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Fundraiser for Duxbury's Clancy family hits $1 million
