"Road Mom" Inspired Groban
Grand Rapids Press
October 15, 2005
By Sue Merrell and Jeffrey Kaczmarczyk
Singing sensation Josh Groban never was surprised to see his superfan, Connie McDonald.
He could be in the New York City TV studios of "The Today Show," rehearsing early in the morning, and see the Grand Rapids area woman waiting.
"It would be blistering cold outside, and she'd be outside the window in her wheelchair and blanket," Groban recalled. "And I'm thinking to myself, I appreciate her support, but she's got to be getting tired of this."
McDonald, Groban's self-described "road mom," never tired of following his career until her death. McDonald, 61, of Grand Rapids, died Oct. 2 after a battle with cancer.
Dozens of Grobanites -- the enthusiastic fans of the classical-crossover singer -- are flying into Grand Rapids this weekend from as far away as Florida and California to pay tribute to one of their own. Groban, who will not be attending McDonald's memorial service today, said he isn't surprised so many are coming.
"She's every artist's dream as a fan, and she's every person's dream as a friend," Groban said. "She inspired not only me, but everyone she came in contact with."
McDonald's devotion to Groban was featured in The Press before the singer's March appearance at Van Andel Arena. .
"Connie was a fixture, a bright spot at all the concerts. She will be missed," said Josh Groban's mother, Lindy Groban, from California.
Spinal tumors left McDonald partially paralyzed in recent years but did not keep her from flying to concerts or leading the charge backstage after the show for autographs.
Groban's Van Andel Arena concert earlier this year was McDonald's 64th, and she always came backstage for an autograph, the singer recalled.
"Every single time we'd meet backstage, we'd have to get a picture together, and a hug together, and an autograph," Groban said. "I wound up signing so many autographs, she probably has at least 50 all with different headings."
McDonald's daughter Kathy Stiles, of Cedar Springs, said the Groban family has been very supportive during the last months.
"The hardest news for me was finding out the cancer had returned. For me, the hardest part was learning she was in pain," Groban said. "But she greeted death the way she greeted life, with dignity and strength."
Josh Groban called McDonald several times to cheer her, Stiles said. After an August concert at Tanglewood, Mass., he addressed a crowd of about 400 fans telling them about McDonald's failing health and asking for their prayers.
"He adored my mom. His whole family has been fabulous, just like part of the family," Stiles said.
Groban's appearance at Van Andel in March was the last concert McDonald was able to attend. She had been in a nursing facility since April, but Grobanites visited often.
"She was one of those people who makes you a better person," said Valerie Sooky, a fan from California who often traveled to concerts with McDonald. "People would make a trip to see her and come away lifted up."
About 35 Grobanites are expected to attend today's service at a Cannon Township church. The services will feature a DVD recording of McDonald saying farewell and recordings of several Groban songs, including "To Where You Are."
But Stiles doesn't want her mother's devotion to a singer to overshadow other contributions, including 21 years as an office manager for dentist W.E. Rupprecht, past president of the Michigan Dental Assistants Association and volunteer for numerous organizations, including the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life.
"Mom was an amazing woman," Stiles said. "She was active in a lot. She had a strong faith. She touched her friends because that's who she was. But I know she touched more lives in the last 2 1/2 years while she was supporting Josh than in the 20 years before."
HOME