Loss hits differently in a tight-knit place like Pembroke. It’s the kind of town where news doesn’t just travel; it settles in every kitchen and backyard. When the community started talking about Maddie Straub Pembroke MA, it wasn't just another headline about a local student. It was about a girl who seemed to be everywhere at once—the snack shack, the oyster farm, the hallways of Silver Lake High.
Honestly, her story is one of those that makes you stop and look at your own life. Maddie was 17. She was a senior. She had that specific kind of South Shore grit where you don't just have a job; you have four.
What Happened on Harrison Street
It was late on a Friday night, or early Saturday morning, really—September 14, 2024. Shortly after midnight, Maddie was driving on Harrison Street in Duxbury. For reasons that are still the subject of local conversation and official investigation, her car struck a tree.
The scene was grim. First responders from Duxbury had to use the Jaws of Life to get her out. She was unresponsive. They Medflighted her to Massachusetts General Hospital, a place where the best of the best try to pull off miracles. But two days later, on September 16, she passed away.
A Work Ethic That Put Adults to Shame
If you’ve spent any time at the Mattakeesett Fields, you probably saw her. Maddie wasn't just a face in the crowd; she was a fixture. Most teenagers spend their summers trying to avoid work. Maddie did the opposite.
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Look at this lineup:
- Barbacking at Christina’s
- Running the local SnackShack
- Working the Farmers Market
- Harvesting at 2Rock Oyster Farm
Harvesting oysters isn't exactly "light" work. It’s muddy, cold, and physically demanding. She loved it. That tells you a lot about who she was—someone who wasn't afraid to get their hands dirty if it meant being outdoors or helping a local business.
The Silver Lake and Pembroke Connection
Even though she lived in Pembroke, she was a senior at Silver Lake Regional High School. She was part of the CTE (Career and Technical Education) program. This wasn't a kid just coasting through her final year. She was building a future.
George Howe, who worked with her at the Pembroke Youth Baseball and Softball (PYBS) snack shack, described her as a "sweetheart" with a smile that just "lit up the place." It sounds like a cliché until you see the photos of her—big grin, often with braces, looking like she was right in the middle of a joke.
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The Gift of Life and the Scholarship
Maddie’s story didn’t end on September 16. In a move that her family describes as her "final gift of kindness," Maddie was an organ donor. Because of that decision, six people received life-saving transplants. Think about that. Six families got a phone call that changed their lives because of a girl from Pembroke.
The community hasn't let her memory fade into the background. The Maddie Straub Memorial Scholarship was established through Pembroke Youth Baseball and Softball. It’s not just a participation trophy. To get it, students have to show the same things Maddie did:
- A minimum 3.0 GPA.
- Verifiable employment at a local business.
- Involvement in youth programs.
It’s a way to reward kids who have that same "go-getter" energy.
Healing and Moving Forward
There’s a deep layer of sadness to this because the Straub family had already been through it. Maddie’s father, Reed M. Straub, passed away in 2019. For her mother, Elizabeth, and siblings, Cole and Sydney, this was a second, unthinkable blow.
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The town showed up, though. Over 1,000 people gathered for a candlelight vigil at the baseball fields. They "lit up the fields" to send her a message. It wasn't just about the tragedy; it was about acknowledging a life that, while short, was incredibly loud and vibrant.
If you’re looking for a way to honor that spirit, the scholarship is the most direct path. Donations are handled through Pembroke Youth Baseball and Softball via Venmo (@pembrokeyouthbaseball) or mail at P.O. Box 215, Pembroke, MA 02359. Just make sure to put "Maddie" in the notes.
Living like Maddie means working hard, hitting the beach at sunset, and making sure the people around you are laughing. It’s a pretty good blueprint to follow.
Actionable Ways to Honor Her Legacy
- Support Local: Frequent the small businesses where she worked, like the local farmers markets or Christina's.
- Organ Donation: Check your own donor status. It’s a heavy topic, but as Maddie showed, it’s a way to leave a legacy that literally saves lives.
- The Scholarship: If you know a Silver Lake or Pembroke High senior who works hard and gives back, encourage them to apply for the Maddie Straub Memorial Scholarship.