PETERSBURG, Pennsylvania — With heavy hearts, the Petersburg community mourns the loss of Makayla Dasean Mitchell-Shutt, who passed away on June 21, 2025, at the tender age of 19. Her passing leaves behind a space that cannot be filled, and her memory will forever live on in the hearts of those who loved her.
Makayla was a young woman full of promise, warmth, and vibrant energy. Though her life was brief, it was filled with meaning — touching the lives of her family, friends, and everyone fortunate enough to know her. She had a remarkable way of bringing people together, of offering light in dark moments, and of sharing a smile that could lift the heaviest heart.
A Life of Kindness and Joy
Makayla was known for her radiant personality, creative spirit, and deep compassion. Whether it was lending a helping hand to a friend in need, making people laugh with her quick wit, or simply being present and kind, Makayla made an impact far beyond her years. She loved music, art, and long talks under the stars — all things that reflected her soulful nature and thoughtful mind.
Friends describe her as someone who was wise beyond her years — an old soul who could comfort and encourage, who dreamed big and lived with heart. Her loss is being felt across Petersburg, where she was a friend, a classmate, and a beloved neighbor.
Honoring Her Life
A visitation to celebrate Makayla’s life will be held on Saturday, June 28, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Matinchek Funeral Home and Cremation Services. A funeral service will follow immediately at 7:00 PM, offering friends, family, and community members the opportunity to reflect, grieve, and share the many beautiful memories they have of Makayla.
The Mitchell-Shutt family welcomes the community’s presence during this difficult time and encourages all who knew Makayla to come and pay their respects. In their sorrow, they are also grateful — for the years they shared with her, and for the enduring love that will continue to carry her legacy forward.
A Community in Mourning
Petersburg is a small town, and in times of loss, it becomes even smaller — gathering close in remembrance and in love. Since the news of Makayla’s passing, tributes have poured in online and across the community. Many recall her as a friend who always made time for others, someone who understood the importance of listening, encouraging, and just being there.
“Makayla had the kind of heart this world needs more of,” shared one classmate. “She was so full of light and always lifted others up. Her memory will stay with us forever.”
In Loving Memory
While words can’t fully capture the pain of her passing, they can help carry forward her spirit. Makayla’s life reminds us to love deeply, to be kind without reason, and to never take a single day for granted.
She is survived by her loving family, who continue to hold each other close in this time of unimaginable grief. The community joins them in mourning and in remembering a life that, though too short, was rich with purpose, passion, and love.
Rest in peace, Makayla Dasean Mitchell-Shutt. You are deeply missed, eternally loved, and never forgotten.
