Mother ‘Devoted Her Life’ To Son With Special Needs; Both Die In Tulsa House Fire

A family is grieving for two of their loved ones after a Tulsa woman and her son died in a house fire.

The young man who died graduated high school and was on a waiting list for a special needs continuing education program. Now his siblings and former teacher are remembering his life and his mother's. 

70-year-old Donna Monday and her 21-year-old son Darien died this week after a fire at their home near 21st and 129th East Avenue. The family said Donna adopted Darien when he was just three weeks old. 

"She devoted her life to caring for him and all of his special needs,” Stacie Monday said. 

Two of Donna's other children, Stacie and Terrence, said Donna retired a few years ago after working in the cafeteria at Booker T. Washington High School. 

"She just looks out for everybody else, you know? And that's what I loved about her,” Terrence said. 

Darien's teacher during his time at Memorial High School, Jenny Ramnath, worked to start "Joys to the World," a non-profit serving young adults with multiple severe disabilities. 

She shared online that Darien, "enjoyed our Summer Camps, He loved singing, dancing, reading... and playing with friends. He has also competed in the Special Olympics...." She called Darien a "warrior" and says he "found joy in so many aspects of life." 

"He had certain things that he really loved, like The Cat in the Hat. And he loved for us to read to him. He loved for us to sing to him. He was just really a good, happy person,” Stacie said. 

Firefighters tried to save the mother and son's lives but said they both took in too much smoke. 

While Terrence and Stacie are grieving the unimaginable loss, they said they are both able to find peace. 

"Knowing that they both passed together gives me some peace,” Stacie said. 

The family is still planning the two funerals. If you would like to help with expenses, click here. Firefighters said the cause of the fire is still under investigation.