McMahon is a SMU alumna from the La Crosse, Wis., area. Her husband, Sean, also a 1994 alumus of SMU, died last spring after battling severe depression. Shelly is now raising their four young children as a single parent. Both Sean and Shelly were also employees of the university; Sean worked for the De La Salle Language program and Shelly worked in Student Activities.
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In addition to raising money to help the McMahon family, planners of the event raised awareness about the disease of depression and how it can be managed through treatment.
Donations are still being accepted. To help, send checks — payable to the Taylor Richmond Benefit Dance — to Jason Richter, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, 700 Terrace Heights No. 45, Winona, MN 55987.
Proceeds from the dance — and a silent auction held on campus — raised close to $13,500 for this year’s beneficiary, Shelly Kubicek McMahon and her four young children.

