
She left her two adorable children behind. Jada, ten years old and Nicholas who just turned five. Mandy was a single mother and had recently moved back to our home in Lantana with her two children. Her passing left us all completely devastated especially my grandchildren. Her stepfather, Matt Orf and I had no question that we would be raising our grandchildren for Mandy.
At the time we were not doing great financially due to the economy and now we faced new financial and legal problems raising two children.
Around this same time, Lantana local and lifelong friend, Craig Lamb was planning a Lantana Reunion BBQ/get together with all our childhood friends. He was using the “I’m a Fan of Lantana, FL” Facebook page created by Bob Murdorf to spread the word.
When Craig heard about Mandy he decided to make the reunion a fundraiser as well. So with help from Bob Murdorf, Tom Fogleman and Mark Zielter they moved forward with their plan and contacted us to let us know. We were so grateful that our daughter Mandy Markham would be honored by this benefit. We were so honored as well that our friends would do something like this for the children and us.
Well, the word got out and the whole town of Lantana was abuzz about this Feb. 2012 event. Craig decided to call it Lantana Reunited (which continues to this day).