Danielle Schamber DiBenedetto

Former Sheridan resident, Danielle (Dani) DiBenedetto, 49, lost her courageous battle to colon cancer on March 7 at Hope Hospice in Fort Myers, Florida with her husband Joe, her father and stepmother, KR and Anita Schamber of Sheridan and other family members at her side. A firefighter, EMT, and paramedic, Dani worked at the South Trail FD at the time of her death. Chief Bill Lombardo and Fox4 TV proclaimed her a "hero" for saving lives throughout her 26 year career and named Engine 63 "Danielle" in her honor.

760 friends attended Dani's Memorial Service March 11 at the Riverside Baptist Church, at which the pastor and firefighters honored her as a "fallen comrade." Her stepdaughter, Juliann DiBenedetto Wilson, gave the eulogy and music was provided by a bagpipe and drum corp. More than 30 fire trucks and EMT vehicles formed a several mile entourage from the service to the Memorial Gardens where her ashes will be interred. A police helicopter "fly over" marked the end of the trail. The Last Alarm was sounded and fire stations globally kept "lights on" to honor Dani on March 15.

Dani graduated from a cosmetology school in Sheridan in 1983 before moving to Florida and used her skills as a hairdresser when not on duty at the fire station. She created stain glass windows, provided caregiving to neighbors and friends, loved to go yard "sailing" and created memorable Halloween costumes for herself and son Dominick.

Dani is survived by her husband Joe, son Dominick, step daughters Juliann Wilson (DeMarkus) and Jamie Navarro (Carlos), her brother Chad Schamber (Angela) and niece Sophia of Cheyenne, mother Vickie Miller of Kalispell, MT, mother-in-law Mary DiBenedetto of Lehigh Acres, FL, father KR Schamber (Anita) of Sheridan, step sisters Dana Townsend (Brad) and Jill Bates(Kevin) of Sheridan, and Michele Holmes of WA, step brother Ryan Arney(Marisa) of Denver, grandchildren: Jessie, Jaelynn, Isabella, and Julian, three sisters-in-law: Joanne, Rose, and Linda, Aunt Audrey Rohn of WA, Uncles Robb Schamber (Peggy) of Green River and George Schamber (Sharon) of Lander, numerous cousins and countless friends.

Dani's memory will be honored at the 2nd Annual Bottoms Up Bash, at the Sheridan Fairgrounds on March 21 beginning at 7 pm. The Narrow Gauge Band will play as Dana's Hope and friends promote Colon Cancer Awareness.

This obituary was originally published in The Sheridan Press (Sheridan, WY).