Megan M. Czaja 37, has left us for a better place. She passed away in her home in Stockbridge, MA with family by her side on December 17th, 2022. She leaves her son Everett her loving father Michael Czaja,mother and stepfather Sandra and Brian Kilburn, her sister and brother-in-law Heather and Aaron Flaum and her nieces Emma and Riley along with a large and loving extended family. Megan graduated from Manchester High school, and started her academic career at Manchester Community College where she graduated with Summa Cum Laude and then onto St.Joseph's College where she studied social work and also graduated with Summa Cum Laude and Smith College where she received her Masters degree in Social Work. She was an LICSW and spent years providing extensive psychotherapy to adults and adolescents. She worked at the Institute of Living in Hartford, CT, Austen Riggs Center and John Dewy Academy in the Berkshires in MA. With every group or organization she was involved with, she was a true advocate. Megan spent her entire childhood and adulthood at the beaches at Cape Cod and loved the National Seashore making memories with her family and son. Her greatest passion was hiking, whereas an independent strong and determined person she completed 32 of the 46 high peaks in the Adirondacks. Her last high peak was on Jan 9, 2020, on Mt Marcy. A month later she was diagnosed with a rare form of glioblastoma cancer in her spinal cord which caused her to become paralyzed from the waist down. She spend her last 22 months enjoying the outdoors, sitting on her deck and taking care of her son Everett. With courage,strength and determination she was still able to do her annual vacation at the beaches of Cape Cod. With her family and friends and her son Everett she took her last trip to the Adorondack mountains in late September early October. Where she got to go to the Summit of Whiteface Mountain and completed a six mile hike to Marcy Dam using her all terrain wheelchair. A published article was written about her accomplishment in the Adirondack Mountain News. Megan loved life to the fullest and always gave 100% of herself to anything she did. Months before Megan passed away, she said " You can always find me in every sunrise and sunset they are the first and last bits of light each day. I will always be in the light and at night I will be the shining star." She is missed more than words can say. The family wants to thank Megan's dedicated and caring aide Becca Spring who without her ongoing support and care made Megan's last 2 years of life more comfortable. We want to thank all of Megan's loving family, friends and caregivers for their dedication. Megan requested that her ashes be spread throughout the remaining 14 High peaks in the Adirondacks. This will be done by friends and hiking partners along with others who wish to join.

A celebration of Megan (Meg) Czaja life will be on Saturday, May 20, 2023 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. located at 65 Baldwin Hill Road South Great Barrington , MA (the rain date is Sunday, May 21.) Family, friends are invited.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in memory of Megan Czaja to support cancer research and patient care at: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute P.O. Box, 849168 Boston, MA 02284 or via dana-farber.org/gift

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Berkshire Eagle on Apr. 25, 2023.