Inaugural event honoring Zoe, Sue surpasses expectations
CHATTANOOGA BOUND — Mike McDouough of New Richland holds pictures of he and his late wife, Sue, and his late granddaugter Zoe. McDonough and many others are going to Chattanooga, Tenn., for the inaugural Zoe’s Rainbow Dash, an event honoring Sue and Zoe McDonough, killed in a July 5, 2012 boating accident. The event is expected to draw 5,000 runners. (Star Eagle photo by Jim Lutgens)
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
It was almost one year ago to the day when beloved New Richland resident Sue McDonough and her granddaughter, Zoe, were killed in a tragic boating accident in Tennessee.
On Thursday, July 4, thousands will gather and celebrate their memory in the inaugural Zoe’s Rainbow Dash 5K run in Chattanooga. The event, backed by dozens of influential Chattanooga area businesspeople, will benefit several charities, including the New Richland Area Food Shelf.
According to the event’s Web Site — zoesrainbowdash.com — participants are invited to “Run, walk or roll your way through a bombardment of color and find yourself wearing a Rainbow at the finish line. Have a blast and benefit some of your favorite charities at the same time….what better way to celebrate the rest of your life? Life is sweet…pass it on!”
Several New Richland area residents, including Sue’s widower, Mike McDonough, are heeding those words and making the trip. Also going are Larry and Pam Goehring, Ryan and Holly Nissen, Chad and Rhonda Staloch and Harlan and Carol Schlaak, among others.
“Probably 50 people from Minnesota are going down there,” said McDonough.
McDonough’s son Brett, and his wife, Leah — Zoe’s parents — came up with the idea.
“It’s something they wanted to do, probably for the grieving process,” said McDonough. “They’ve got great friends down there in Chattanooga. There are about 40 people on the committee that met every Sunday night. It has been very well prepared. Some of the things done have just been amazing.”
For example, a friend of the family who recently built a new Embassy Suites Motel donated 10 rooms for four days for people traveling from a distance. Brett McDonough, an optometrist, bought a bus and had it custom painted to promote the event. There’s a huge billboard on the interstate running through the city. At least 14 television stories have been aired.
“They’re expecting 5,000 runners,” said McDonough. “This will be an annual affair. There’s so much going on down there it’s almost hard to explain.”
McDonough was there when more than 5,000 people turned out at a mall for the kickoff event about a month ago.
“There are many, many sponsors,” said McDonough. “It just amazes me the amount of friends and support that they’re getting down there.”
Pam Goehring is ecstatic the local food shelf will receive part of the funds raised because Sue McDonough, who retired at the end of 2009 after 31 years at New Richland Care Center, was a valued and active member of the NRAFS. She’s fondly remembered by many in the community.
“Everybody loves Sue,” said Goehring.
Mike McDonough has nothing but fond memories of his wife of 47 years.
“What can I say?” he said. “She’s wonderful. I can’t think of anyone who knew her that didn’t like her.”
McDonough said life without Sue has been “a real struggle,” but he’s relied heavily on the Lord and somehow found a way to be thankful despite the heartbreak.
“It was bad,” he said. “But it could have been worse. My entire family was on that boat, everybody but me. As bad as it’s been, it could have been worse. My whole family could have been wiped out.”
The Rainbow Dash ensures Sue and Zoe will always be remembered.