REBECCA STEMPLEWICZ

Rebecca passed away in her home on November 29, 2021, at 6:35pm. Surrounded lovingly by family, we toasted and celebrated a life richly and bravely lived. And live she did. Despite her diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer, Rebecca never identified as a cancer victim. Rather, she identified as a strong woman, mother, wife, sister, niece, cousin, adventurer, and friend. While receiving treatment she traveled the world, hiked mountains, and always loved those around her fiercely, especially her family. Rebecca did not have a mean bone in her body, and everybody knew it and loved her for it. She would tell us "don't judge anyone as you never know what they are going through, what they are fighting against...just accept them." No one would deny that she made those around her better people.


On the first night of Hanukkah - the day before she passed - four generations of family surrounded Rebecca with music, song, and love. As the night concluded, her beloved nephew gave her a kiss on the forehead, at which point she tenderly whispered her last words, "sweet, boy."


Rebecca's kindness, empathy, and generosity manifested in many ways. Not the least of which were her efforts to increase the support received by those facing breast cancer. She was keenly aware that not everyone would have the same strong support network that blessed her. For example, Rebecca led a team of friends and family who helped raise over $30,000 for the Young Survival Coalition, an international organization focusing on women ages 40 and under who are diagnosed with breast cancer. Before her passing Rebecca urged that, in lieu of food and flowers, donations in her memory be made to two organizations: The Living Beyond Breast Cancer Rebecca Stemplewicz Memorial Fund, part of the LBBC Fund providing financial assistance to women with breast cancer - read about the fund here https://www.metavivor.org/take-action/donate/ to donate go to
The Living Beyond Breast Cancer Rebecca Stemplewicz Memorial Fund
or to Metavivor, an organization dedicated to increasing awareness of advanced breast cancer, equity in research, and patient support (read Rebecca's memorial-https://www.metavivor.org/take-action/memorials/, to donate https://www.metavivor.org/take-action/donate/).


Rebecca is survived by her husband Aaron, her daughter Vivian, and a large loving family.