Stephanie Demore Dunshee, 34 of Torrington, CT, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 3, 2014 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Waterbury, CT, after courageously battling stage 4 breast cancer for over five years.

Stephanie was born in Rockville, CT, on December 13, 1979. Stephanie graduated from WAMOGO Regional High School in 1997, and received her Master of Arts in Education from the University of Connecticut in 2002. Stephanie married Robert Dunshee of Sherburne, NY on October 13, 2006. Thereafter, Stephanie gave birth to their son, Gabriel Demore Dunshee, which she always said was the, “best thing she ever did.”

Stephanie was a devoted wife and mother. She loved cuddling up with her son, Gabe, and taking turns reading books to each other. She loved to talk with her husband before they went to bed about the best and worst parts of their day.

Stephanie took the time to connect with everyone she met and she always made it a priority to keep in touch with those people that she truly cared about, especially family.

A devoted teacher, Stephanie always went above and beyond to reach each and every child. As a result, many Newtown students benefitted from her kindness and dedication. She treated all her classroom children as if they were her own. Stephanie’s vibrant personality, smile and pure enjoyment of life will be forever missed by her students, their families and especially her colleagues at Hawley Elementary School.

Stephanie took an active role in supporting breast cancer awareness and research through her participation in numerous walks and fundraisers. It was important to her that everyone gets screened for cancer and that a cure is found soon.

Surviving family members are: Husband Robert Dunshee and son Gabriel Dunshee; parents Brenda and Carl Demore; sisters Elizabeth Forsberg, and Stacy Taylor and husband Jim; grandparents Carl and Ida Demore; aunts and uncles Patty Martin and Tim Berg, Karen & Bill Robinson, William and Marilyn Morey; nieces and nephew, Jenna and Krysta Taylor, Hannah and Cole Forsberg; Cousins Bill Morey, Jason Morey, Sarah Canavan, Kate Robinson; in-laws Brenda and William McNeiece and daughters Emily and Elle; in-laws Stephen and Susan Dunshee and children Grace and Kevin.

For those interested, donations can be made in Stephanie’s name to the CT Breast Health Initiative, Inc, 185 Main Street, #210, New Britain, CT 06051.

Her family will receive relatives and friends on October 10th from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Rowe Funeral Home, 283 Torrington Rd., Litchfield, CT. A Mass celebrating Stephanie’s life will be held on October 11th at 10 a.m. at St. Thomas of Villanova, 71 North Street, Goshen, CT 06756.

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