Michigan
‘22 beautiful years’: Family mourns University of Michigan student who died skiing in Aspen
ANN ARBOR, MI – Eileen Sheahan brought a joyful energy into any room she entered, her family and sorority sisters said.
The 22-year-old University of Michigan senior had a smile that lit up an entire room, said her aunt Kathy O’Brien Caplice. Her Alpha Phi sorority sister Megan Martz called that same smile infectious, while another sister Grace Aretakis called it unforgettable.
Even after Sheahan died Saturday, Jan. 27, while skiing in Aspen, Colorado, her joyful energy still lingers, said her parents Terrence “TJ” and Patti Sheahan.
“We feel blessed to have had 22 beautiful years with our cherished daughter and comforted at this time to feel her presence and love all around us,” her parents told MLive/The Ann Arbor News.
Read more: University of Michigan student dies while skiing in Aspen
Sheahan, an Evanston, Illinois native, died when she hit a tree while skiing at the Aspen Highlands resort, Pitkin County Medical Examiner Dr. Steven Ayers confirmed.
Sheahan is survived by her parents, three siblings Erin, Margaret and Michael, and her extended O’Brien and Sheahan families.
Her grandfather Michael Sheahan was Cook County sheriff in Illinois, and her mother is a Cook County circuit judge. Her parents said their daughter sought to follow the family tradition of public service.
“We are immensely proud that Eileen spent a lifetime of giving to others and continues that legacy with the gift of life by being an organ donor,” her parents said.
Sheahan was set to graduate from the University of Michigan in May with a degree in economics. Her grandfather remembered driving her to a train to head back to Ann Arbor for the Michigan-Ohio State football game, and the wide-ranging conversation they had.
“She was at a great point in her life,” he said. “It is so sad it was cut short, but her smile and laughter will be remembered by her family and friends forever.”
Prior to coming to UM, she attended the St. Joan of Arc grade school in Evanston and Loyola Academy in Wilmette, Illinois. Even though Sheahan was a strong student, she did not brag about it, Caplice said.
“Eileen was a beautiful and accomplished young lady who was looking forward to graduation, had nearly straight A’s and a job waiting for her when she was finished with school,” her aunt said. “However she was also humble and self-deprecating, which only made her more endearing.”
While at the University of Michigan, Sheahan was a student ambassador and an involved member of her sorority. One of her sisters Tessa Weinberger said Sheahan “touched everyone with her presence. Martz and Aretakis also remembered a trip they took Portugal with her.
“We were on a boat cruise with our friends and just Eileen and I went to sit inside to warm up,” Aretakis said. “We sat inside and chatted about our lives, the future, and how truly blessed we were to be abroad together.”
“I am so grateful we were able to travel the world and share the time that we had,” Martz said. “Every minute with Eileen was a minute well-spent.”
University of Michigan Dean of Students Laura Blake Jones said the campus mourns Sheahan’s death.
“We send our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, classmates and all who knew her,” Jones said.
Those seeking support from the news may contact the university’s Counseling and Psychological Services, as well as the Dean of Students Office and the Faculty and Staff Counseling and Consultation Office, Jones said.
Sheahan loved spending quality time with her whole extended family, her parents said, adding she will be remembered for being an amazing big sister, best friend and role model.
“Eileen will be eternally loved and missed by all who were lucky enough to know her,” her parents said.
There will be a visitation for Sheahan at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 4, at Donnellan Family Funeral Home in Skokie, Illinois. The funeral is 10:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 5, at Old Saint Patrick’s Church in Chicago.
In lieu of flowers, family is requesting donations by made to The Eileen Sheahan Memorial Scholarship at The Academy at St. Joan of Arc grade school in Evanston or to Loyola Academy in Wilmette, Illinois.
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Michigan
Morning 4: Missing Fenton man believed to have drowned in SE Michigan lake — and more news
Morning 4 is a quick roundup of stories we think you should know about to start your day. So, let’s get to the news.
Body pulled from SE Michigan lake belongs to missing Genesee County man
The body of a missing Genesee County man was found Thursday in a private lake at the edge of Livingston County.
See the story here.
Popular chicken restaurant opens new location in Macomb County
A popular chicken restaurant chain has opened its newest location in Macomb County.
Read more here.
Twin girls hurt after lighting powerful firework in bathroom of Metro Detroit home
Twin 11-year-old girls were injured Thursday after they brought a powerful firework into a bathroom in their River Rouge home and lit it.
See more here.
Biden’s debate performance spurs Democratic panic about his ability to lead party against Trump
Above all, Joe Biden’s allies wanted him to demonstrate strength and energy on the debate stage to help put to rest questions about the 81-year-old Democrat’s physical and mental acuity.
But on the biggest stage in U.S. politics on Thursday night, Biden did not meet their modest expectations.
Read the report here.
Weather: Storms this weekend in Metro Detroit: What to expect
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Michigan
Michigan voters react to debate | CNN Politics
Here’s how a panel of swing state voters thought Biden and Trump performed
CNN’s Laura Coates speaks with a panel of Michigan voters to get their reactions to President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump’s performances during CNN’s presidential debate.
Michigan
Black bear sightings on the rise in mid-Michigan
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Experts say that the bear population has recently increased in Michigan’s lower peninsula, leading to a similar rise in close encounters—including those here in mid-Michigan.
Last Sunday, on Ruess Rd in Owosso, a road she drives on almost every day, Emalee Harmon saw something she never expected.
“We were absolutely shocked,” said Harmon. “We were just kinda speechless and couldn’t get over the fact that we just saw a bear.”
She was on her way back from getting ice cream with her family when she and her husband noticed a bear. They pulled over and took photos.
“We had never seen a bear in the wild, and we knew that it was not normal to see them this far in the south,” said Harmon.
Just a few days later, another bear was spotted in Bath Township. Ron Jackson posted a photo of the bear on Facebook.
While it is unlikely, seeing a bear in mid-Michigan is not as rare as you might think. According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, there are around 12,000 bears in the state: 10,000 in the Upper Peninsula and 2000 in the northern Lower Peninsula.
Black bears are the only bears in Michigan, and because they fear humans, they don’t pose a major safety risk. However, experts say there are things to keep in mind if you do run into one. The DNR created the acronym “SMART” to help people understand what to do in this situation.
- Stand your ground. Do not run or play dead if you encounter a black bear.
- Make loud noises and back away slowly.
- Always provide an escape route for the bear
- Rarely do black bears attack, but if they do- fight back
- Treat bears with respect from a distance. Never intentionally feed a bear.
To learn more about black bears in Michigan, visit michigan.gov.
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