After a five-year fight against ovarian cancer, Shawna passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 29th.

As many of you know, Shawna was an incredible person. We met in residency and have been inseparable ever since. Even after she moved to Rhode Island and after being diagnosed with cancer, our families were able to spend many weekends together. I will be forever grateful for the time I had with her. Shawna continued to work and fight for every treatment route possible to allow her to live life to the fullest and spend as much time as possible with her loving husband Mike and their children Eliana (10) and Ben (8). She spent the last three months of her life in the hospital and eventually in hospice. She was able to spend time with her family and friends and even witnessed the day Ellie earned her Black Belt in Karate. When Shawna was presented with the option of earing an honorary black belt, she turned it down because she wanted to earn it. That’s who Shawna was. To the very end.

A memorial service will take place at Calvary United Methodist Church in Middletown, Rhode Island on Saturday, August 9th at 1pm.

Like many families with members suffering from serious medical conditions, Shawna’s family has felt the financial pressures of navigating life with cancer. For those of you that have been asking for ways to help, Shawna’s family could use support in paying medical bills, offset funeral costs and childcare expenses. If you would like to assist with their financial burden, any donation would be greatly appreciated.

On behalf of Shawna, her loving husband Mike and their beautiful children Eliana and Ben, we sincerely appreciate your love and support.