A 10-year-old girl from Davison is being remembered for her warmth, humor, and love of life after her unexpected passing on June 21, 2026, at Hurley Medical Center in Flint. Madelyn “Maddi” Thams, known to family and friends simply as Maddi, died surrounded by people who say she packed more joy into her short life than most people manage in decades.
Maddi was the daughter of Abby and Shane Thams and the younger sister of Grant, whom she adored and followed everywhere, from his ball games to bike rides around the neighborhood.
Family members describe a girl who never wanted to miss a gathering, whether it was a holiday, a birthday, or just an ordinary afternoon with the people she loved.
Her laugh was described as contagious, and her hugs as the kind that could turn a bad day around.
A Volleyball Player and Animal Lover
Maddi played volleyball and was part of the Arsenal Volleyball Club’s 12U regional team, where coaches and teammates are now mourning her loss.
She attended school in Goodrich and was known there as a social butterfly who made friends easily and made everyone around her feel included.
Outside of school and sports, Maddi spent much of her time outdoors. She loved gardening, riding her bike, and swinging in the yard, and she especially looked forward to boat days, which she always paired with her favorite snacks and plenty of sunshine.
She was devoted to animals and rarely passed a dog without stopping to say hello. Her own dog, Remi, was one of her closest companions growing up.
Family says Maddi had a passion for country music and knew the words to every song she heard. She also loved baking, though she was known for straying from recipes and adding her own touches to make treats “extra special.”
Cheetah print and the color matte yellow were among her favorite things, and watching sunsets was one of her greatest joys.
A funeral service for Maddi will be held Saturday, June 27, at 11 a.m. at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Flint, with Pastor Jeffrey Frechette Sr. and Pastor Morgan Garrett officiating together.
Burial will follow at Davison Cemetery. Family and friends will be able to pay their respects beforehand during visitation hours on Friday, June 26, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and again from 4 to 7 p.m. at Allen Funeral Home in Davison. An additional hour of visitation will be offered at the church before Saturday’s service.
In keeping with her vibrant personality, the family is asking those attending to wear matte yellow or other bright colors instead of traditional mourning attire, a tribute to the energy and light she brought into every room.
Community Support Pours In
News of Maddi’s passing has prompted an outpouring of support from her volleyball club, classmates, and the wider Davison and Flint community.
Fundraising efforts have been organized to help the family with medical and funeral expenses, and tribute posts continue to be shared online by those who knew her.
Family members say Maddi’s generous spirit lives on in another way as well: through organ donation, which they say will give others a chance at life.
They are calling her a hero, and say the lessons she taught them about love, courage, and joy will stay with them forever.
