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Michele Szepanski Obituary
Fairbanks resident Michele "Shelly" Szepanski died peacefully in Minnesota on Dec. 4, 2008, after a steadfast four-year battle with melanoma.
Shelly was born in Minneapolis on Feb. 4, 1967, and lived in Juneau, Anchorage, McGrath and Fairbanks for most of her 41 years. She graduated from Juneau-Douglas High School in 1985 and was a member of the All-State Girls' High School basketball team her junior and senior years.
While battling cancer, Shelly continued to work on her doctorate program in moose research, got her pilot's license and took dressage lessons. She always maintained her love for the outdoors and Alaska.
Shelly is survived by her parents, Lynn and Bill Szepanski of Anoka, Minn.; her sister and brother-in-law, Jennifer and Steve Mendive of Palmer; grandmother, Lorraine Waller of Minnesota; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins in Minnesota, Oregon and Alaska; and her good friends, Kalin, Kellie, Heather Wilson and Caroline Brown of Alaska.
A celebration dinner will take place in Fairbanks at a later date. Shelly's cremains will be spread at various Alaska locations according to her wishes. Visit http://shellyszepanski.blogspot.com/
Shelly's parents can be reached at [email protected]. Memorials may be sent to: The Melanoma Research Foundation, 170 Township Line Road, Building B, Hillsborough, NJ 08844 or online at www.melanoma.org.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Michele Szepanski
3 Entries
Kathy Hedges
December 26, 2008
Mr. Bill and Lynn, very typical Fairbanks and Alaska, Fred Meyers was the one place I would tend to cross paths with Shelly - as it is the location to cross paths with anyone in town :). Whenever I did meet up with Shelly she was always in a good mood and never would one suspect anything was wrong. I too came back from holiday and heard the news - my condolences and prayers are with you and your family this holiday season. I actually spent some time this holiday looking at photo albums - one of which was the great European adventure of 1983 - what a trip! Good memories that will continue on!
Laura McCarthy
December 8, 2008
I just returned from vacation to learn that Shelly passed away. I'm so sorry to hear this news, but glad that she is no longer suffering. She's flying high above the clouds and pain-free now. Love you Shelly! God bless, Laura
Alex Popov
December 6, 2008
I"m visitedShelly@s blog and was amazed to her optimism. She so liked life. My condolences her parents, relatives and friends.
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