Stefanie Lynn Spielman, age 42, of Upper Arlington, Ohio went home to be with God on Thursday, November 19, 2009. Her deep and abiding faith in her Lord, Jesus Christ sustained her, gave her peace and the assurance that she would spend eternity with Him. She touched many lives reflecting God's goodness, grace and love to all that knew her.
Stefanie grew up in a loving home in northeastern Ohio and graduated from Jackson High School in Massillon, Ohio (1985) and The Ohio State University (1989). She married her high school sweetheart after they graduated from Ohio State. Her husband, Chris, was an All-American football player and went on to have an all-pro career in the NFL for more than 10 years.
During a breast self-exam in 1998, Stefanie found a lemon-sized lump. She mentioned it to her doctor, who diagnosed her with breast cancer. Stefanie was only 30 years old. Stefanie was passionate about preventing and finding a cure for breast cancer. One of her legacies, The Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research at the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute grew from her willingness to discuss her illness publicly. Launched in 1998, the fund's original goal of $250,000 was easily surpassed in the first six months of its existence and to date more than $26 million has been raised for breast cancer research and prevention.
She also helped establish The Stefanie Spielman Patient Assistance Fund, which provides assistance to breast cancer patients and their families who may be experiencing financial challenges associated with treatment.
Over the years, Stefanie and Chris received numerous awards for their dedication and commitment to raising funds and awareness for cancer research. At Ohio State, she received the highest philanthropic honor given, the John B. Gerlach, Sr. Development Volunteer Award, as well as the William Oxley Thompson Award. Stefanie was inducted into the Ohio Women's Hall of Fame in 2002 and was named a YWCA Woman of Achievement in 2003. Together, Stefanie and Chris received an Ohio Governor's Award in 1999 and were inducted into The James Leadership Society in 2007.
In November 2009, after a decade-long battle, Stefanie left us with some final thoughts: continue to fight. Through it all, Stefanie kept a positive attitude and was always grateful for the blessings she felt life had given her. Knowing that there is still more work to be done, she has encouraged us all to keep fighting and she has left us with a legacy of hope.
In October 2011, the university renamed its breast cancer facility as The Stefanie Spielman Comprehensive Breast Center.
She is survived by her devoted husband of more than 20 years, Chris. They were the love of each others lives, best friends and confidants. Together they have four children, Madison, Noah, Macy and Audrey to whom she was a dedicated and loving mother.
Stefanie was preceded in death by her father Richard Belcher and father-in-law Charles Spielman. She is survived by her mother, Myra, and mother-in-law, Nancy. She also leaves behind three sisters, Sue, Sandy, and Cindy; a brother-in-law, Rick; several nieces and nephews; as well as many friends whom she loved and admired.
Memorial contributions can be made to The Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research or The Stefanie Spielman Patient Assistance Fund. Contributions to either fund should be sent to The James Development Office 660 Ackerman Road, P.O. Box 183112, Columbus, Ohio 43218-3112.
Stefanie grew up in a loving home in northeastern Ohio and graduated from Jackson High School in Massillon, Ohio (1985) and The Ohio State University (1989). She married her high school sweetheart after they graduated from Ohio State. Her husband, Chris, was an All-American football player and went on to have an all-pro career in the NFL for more than 10 years.
During a breast self-exam in 1998, Stefanie found a lemon-sized lump. She mentioned it to her doctor, who diagnosed her with breast cancer. Stefanie was only 30 years old. Stefanie was passionate about preventing and finding a cure for breast cancer. One of her legacies, The Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research at the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute grew from her willingness to discuss her illness publicly. Launched in 1998, the fund's original goal of $250,000 was easily surpassed in the first six months of its existence and to date more than $26 million has been raised for breast cancer research and prevention.
She also helped establish The Stefanie Spielman Patient Assistance Fund, which provides assistance to breast cancer patients and their families who may be experiencing financial challenges associated with treatment.
Over the years, Stefanie and Chris received numerous awards for their dedication and commitment to raising funds and awareness for cancer research. At Ohio State, she received the highest philanthropic honor given, the John B. Gerlach, Sr. Development Volunteer Award, as well as the William Oxley Thompson Award. Stefanie was inducted into the Ohio Women's Hall of Fame in 2002 and was named a YWCA Woman of Achievement in 2003. Together, Stefanie and Chris received an Ohio Governor's Award in 1999 and were inducted into The James Leadership Society in 2007.
In November 2009, after a decade-long battle, Stefanie left us with some final thoughts: continue to fight. Through it all, Stefanie kept a positive attitude and was always grateful for the blessings she felt life had given her. Knowing that there is still more work to be done, she has encouraged us all to keep fighting and she has left us with a legacy of hope.
In October 2011, the university renamed its breast cancer facility as The Stefanie Spielman Comprehensive Breast Center.
She is survived by her devoted husband of more than 20 years, Chris. They were the love of each others lives, best friends and confidants. Together they have four children, Madison, Noah, Macy and Audrey to whom she was a dedicated and loving mother.
Stefanie was preceded in death by her father Richard Belcher and father-in-law Charles Spielman. She is survived by her mother, Myra, and mother-in-law, Nancy. She also leaves behind three sisters, Sue, Sandy, and Cindy; a brother-in-law, Rick; several nieces and nephews; as well as many friends whom she loved and admired.
Memorial contributions can be made to The Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research or The Stefanie Spielman Patient Assistance Fund. Contributions to either fund should be sent to The James Development Office 660 Ackerman Road, P.O. Box 183112, Columbus, Ohio 43218-3112.
Stefanie Lynn Spielman, age 42, of Upper Arlington, Ohio went home to be with God on Thursday, November 19, 2009. Her deep and abiding faith in her Lord, Jesus Christ sustained her, gave her peace and the assurance that she would spend eternity with Him. She touched many lives reflecting God's goodness, grace and love to all that knew her.
Stefanie grew up in a loving home in northeastern Ohio and graduated from Jackson High School in Massillon, Ohio (1985) and The Ohio State University (1989). She married her high school sweetheart after they graduated from Ohio State. Her husband, Chris, was an All-American football player and went on to have an all-pro career in the NFL for more than 10 years.
During a breast self-exam in 1998, Stefanie found a lemon-sized lump. She mentioned it to her doctor, who diagnosed her with breast cancer. Stefanie was only 30 years old. Stefanie was passionate about preventing and finding a cure for breast cancer. One of her legacies, The Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research at the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute grew from her willingness to discuss her illness publicly. Launched in 1998, the fund's original goal of $250,000 was easily surpassed in the first six months of its existence and to date more than $26 million has been raised for breast cancer research and prevention.
She also helped establish The Stefanie Spielman Patient Assistance Fund, which provides assistance to breast cancer patients and their families who may be experiencing financial challenges associated with treatment.
Over the years, Stefanie and Chris received numerous awards for their dedication and commitment to raising funds and awareness for cancer research. At Ohio State, she received the highest philanthropic honor given, the John B. Gerlach, Sr. Development Volunteer Award, as well as the William Oxley Thompson Award. Stefanie was inducted into the Ohio Women's Hall of Fame in 2002 and was named a YWCA Woman of Achievement in 2003. Together, Stefanie and Chris received an Ohio Governor's Award in 1999 and were inducted into The James Leadership Society in 2007.
In November 2009, after a decade-long battle, Stefanie left us with some final thoughts: continue to fight. Through it all, Stefanie kept a positive attitude and was always grateful for the blessings she felt life had given her. Knowing that there is still more work to be done, she has encouraged us all to keep fighting and she has left us with a legacy of hope.
In October 2011, the university renamed its breast cancer facility as The Stefanie Spielman Comprehensive Breast Center.
She is survived by her devoted husband of more than 20 years, Chris. They were the love of each others lives, best friends and confidants. Together they have four children, Madison, Noah, Macy and Audrey to whom she was a dedicated and loving mother.
Stefanie was preceded in death by her father Richard Belcher and father-in-law Charles Spielman. She is survived by her mother, Myra, and mother-in-law, Nancy. She also leaves behind three sisters, Sue, Sandy, and Cindy; a brother-in-law, Rick; several nieces and nephews; as well as many friends whom she loved and admired.
Memorial contributions can be made to The Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research or The Stefanie Spielman Patient Assistance Fund. Contributions to either fund should be sent to The James Development Office 660 Ackerman Road, P.O. Box 183112, Columbus, Ohio 43218-3112.
Stefanie grew up in a loving home in northeastern Ohio and graduated from Jackson High School in Massillon, Ohio (1985) and The Ohio State University (1989). She married her high school sweetheart after they graduated from Ohio State. Her husband, Chris, was an All-American football player and went on to have an all-pro career in the NFL for more than 10 years.
During a breast self-exam in 1998, Stefanie found a lemon-sized lump. She mentioned it to her doctor, who diagnosed her with breast cancer. Stefanie was only 30 years old. Stefanie was passionate about preventing and finding a cure for breast cancer. One of her legacies, The Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research at the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute grew from her willingness to discuss her illness publicly. Launched in 1998, the fund's original goal of $250,000 was easily surpassed in the first six months of its existence and to date more than $26 million has been raised for breast cancer research and prevention.
She also helped establish The Stefanie Spielman Patient Assistance Fund, which provides assistance to breast cancer patients and their families who may be experiencing financial challenges associated with treatment.
Over the years, Stefanie and Chris received numerous awards for their dedication and commitment to raising funds and awareness for cancer research. At Ohio State, she received the highest philanthropic honor given, the John B. Gerlach, Sr. Development Volunteer Award, as well as the William Oxley Thompson Award. Stefanie was inducted into the Ohio Women's Hall of Fame in 2002 and was named a YWCA Woman of Achievement in 2003. Together, Stefanie and Chris received an Ohio Governor's Award in 1999 and were inducted into The James Leadership Society in 2007.
In November 2009, after a decade-long battle, Stefanie left us with some final thoughts: continue to fight. Through it all, Stefanie kept a positive attitude and was always grateful for the blessings she felt life had given her. Knowing that there is still more work to be done, she has encouraged us all to keep fighting and she has left us with a legacy of hope.
In October 2011, the university renamed its breast cancer facility as The Stefanie Spielman Comprehensive Breast Center.
She is survived by her devoted husband of more than 20 years, Chris. They were the love of each others lives, best friends and confidants. Together they have four children, Madison, Noah, Macy and Audrey to whom she was a dedicated and loving mother.
Stefanie was preceded in death by her father Richard Belcher and father-in-law Charles Spielman. She is survived by her mother, Myra, and mother-in-law, Nancy. She also leaves behind three sisters, Sue, Sandy, and Cindy; a brother-in-law, Rick; several nieces and nephews; as well as many friends whom she loved and admired.
Memorial contributions can be made to The Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research or The Stefanie Spielman Patient Assistance Fund. Contributions to either fund should be sent to The James Development Office 660 Ackerman Road, P.O. Box 183112, Columbus, Ohio 43218-3112.
