Megan Rebecca Seney

NEWPORT NEWS - Megan Rebecca Seney of Newport News died of an acute illness Sunday, February 21, 2016, at the age of 31. She was born to parents Franklin D. Seney, Jr., M.D. and Rebecca Mazzarella in New Haven, Connecticut. Megan attended schools in Dallas, Texas, and Newport News before attending Oak Hill Academy, from which she graduated as salutatorian in 2003. In her commencement address, she stated "We all have so much to get out of life; never forget that it is up to us to reach out and grasp what is to come". She went on to become a loving mother, wife, and veterinary technician, working at Churchland Animal Clinic in Portsmouth until the time of her death. She is survived by her husband, Aivars Cudney, son Oliver Patrick Worth, age 5 years, newborn daughter Adelaide Willow Cudney, her grandmother Irvene F. Seney of Newport News, her father of Newport News, her mother and husband Mario Mazzarella, Ph.D. of Newport News, in-laws Dan and Margaret Cudney of Ocean View, sister Erin E. Seney, Ph.D. and husband Bryan Smouther of Melbourne, Florida, sister Lauren P. Seney and husband Robert Crispens of Newport News, brother Kevin F. Seney of Charlottesville, nephews Nolan Smouther and Logan Crispens, uncles Richard F. Seney and William C. Schmidt, stepsiblings Haley and Tommy Mazzarella, and multiple cousins. Megan loved her children dearly, as she did her husband and family. She particularly loved reading with her son, laughter, the joy of dancing, the pleasures of writing, caring for animals, the vibrant rusts and oranges of autumn, and the beauty of willow trees, after which she named her daughter. Though we are profoundly saddened by the brevity of her life, we know that Megan's legacy will live eternally in the hearts and minds of her children, family, and friends. And we will remember the extraordinary beauty of her smile when we read with her children, when animals play, when butterflies and dragonflies grace our gardens, when fall leaves dance in the air, when deep orange sunsets adorn the skies, when spectacular fingers of sunlight soar above majestic clouds, and when willow trees renew their graceful splendor each and every spring. The family thank countless wonderful individuals at Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters, Mary Immaculate Hospital, Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, and Nightingale Regional Air Ambulance service. We also wish to thank innumerable extraordinary friends and particularly wish to thank Sister Bernard Magill for her remarkable kindness, guidance, and support. Two trusts will be established, one for each of Megan's children. Those who wish to donate in lieu of flowers may send checks made out to either maternal grandparent (Rebecca Mazzarella or Franklin D. Seney, Jr.) with the "to line" adding FBO (for the benefit of) the individual child's name, either Adelaide Willow Cudney or Oliver Patrick Worth. If donating to both children, please send separate checks. These may be mailed to the attention of James M. Erikson, P.C., P. O. Box 3696, Williamsburg, VA 23185. An announcement regarding a ceremony celebrating Megan's life will follow in the weeks to come.