September 16 2015: MIERZWA, Amanda J.

Amanda Jean Mierzwa

Passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Monday, September 14, 2015, at the age of 34 after a two and a half year battle with cancer.  Amanda was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to Terry and Sue Mierzwa.  She is survived by her parents, husband Jason Matson, daughter Katie, sister Jessica (Tom) Ferri, nephews Tyson and Desmond, mother-in-law Jane Finn and sister-in-law Morgan Matson.  Also surviving are her best friends Laurel Beer and Genevieve Sullivan along with her “adopted” brothers Abiman Rajadurai and Troy Ginzer.

 Amanda was a graduate of Jackson County (Michigan) Western High School, where she was valedictorian of her class.  She held a bachelor of science in biochemistry from her beloved University of Michigan and a PhD in neuroscience from the New York University School of Medicine.  At the time of her passing, Amanda was a research scientist at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland.  She published numerous academic research papers in various scientific journals.

 Amanda cherished her Jason, whom she met while in graduate school in Manhattan.  She was a more than a little annoyed one Saturday when he made plans that would have her miss watching the Michigan vs Notre Dame football game. Jason, however, redeemed himself that day when he proposed to her exactly 18 months after their first date.  They enjoyed an extraordinary honeymoon travelling to exotic locations in Europe and the Middle East.  Back in Manhattan, they enjoyed all the city had to offer, especially walking across the Brooklyn Bridge and eating pizza, before moving to Silver Spring, Maryland in 2009.

 After moving to Silver Spring, Amanda accepted a post doctoral position in Dr. Armstrong’s lab in the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, bought a house, and adopted two bichons, Maize and Blue.  Her proudest accomplishment was becoming a mother to Katie in 2011,  Her little Katie was the center of Amanda’s life and brought her much joy every day in simple ways like comments made while driving to and from school, making dinner together, playing in the park, watching Disney movies, reading books, and “nuggling” every night before bedtime.  Amanda took great pride in each of Katie’s new accomplishments whether it be learning to print her own name, ride a bike, swim all by herself, or mastering a new skill at gymnastics.

 Amanda was an avid sports fan and saved her greatest devotion for the Michigan Wolverines and Detroit Tigers.  She was always well-prepared to discuss current events.  She also enjoyed the theater, concerts, opera, ballet, playing her piano, golfing, swimming, gardening, highly competitive board games, reading, and running half-marathons.

 Amanda had an indomitable spirit and incredibly strong will.  She also possessed a very kind heart and blessed many family members and friends with her thoughtful gestures.  Her mantra for the past two and a half years has been “I’m not done yet. I choose life.”  Before he passed, sports personality, Stuart Scott, said “When you die, it does not mean that you lose to cancer. You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and in the manner in which you live.”  Amanda did not lose her battle to cancer.

 Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 17th from 7-9 pm at the Francis J. Collins Funeral Home.  A funeral mass will be held on Friday, September 18^th at 11:00 am at Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church in Silver Spring.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please consider donating blood or making a contribution to the American Cancer Society.