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.
Eileen Sheahan (middle left) with her siblings Michael (far left), Erin and Margaret. Photo provided by Sheahan’s aunt Renee Formell.Renee Formell
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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A motorist was injured after their vehicle was struck by gunfire early Friday on Interstate 94 in Detroit’s east side, Michigan State Police reported.
The investigation resulted in the closure of the eastbound lanes of I-94 at Chalmers Avenue in Wayne County. The highway was closed at 5:52 a.m. and remained closed at 7 a.m., according to Michigan Department of Transportation traffic reports.
Motorists are encouraged to avoid the area and use alternate routes while the investigation continues. Motorists could re-enter I-94 at Cadieux Road.
State troopers said they were notified about 4:55 a.m. about a shooting that had occurred around 1:57 a.m. on eastbound I-94 near Harper Avenue. The victim later went to a local hospital to seek treatment for gunshot wounds.
During the investigation, troopers learned the victim’s vehicle had been struck multiple times by gunfire.
Michigan Department of Transportation traffic reports are at the MI Drive site.
Kyle Whittingham says appeal of Michigan football job was obvious
New Michigan football coach Kyle Whittingham said the appeal of the job was obvious on Sunday, Dec. 28, in Orlando.
Michigan football’s summer recruiting heater isn’t slowing down.
The Wolverines landed a commitment from four-star cornerback Blake Jenkins out of Katy, Texas (Katy Tompkins) on Thursday, June 4, which he announced on a livestream. Jenkins picked Michigan out of a final five that also included Alabama, Texas, Vanderbilt and SMU.
Jenkins, who stands 6 feet 1½ and 185 pounds, is the No. 33 cornerback in the nation, the No. 43 ranked player in Texas and No. 283 overall prospect in the class of 2027, per 247Sports composite rankings.
“Natural man corner with size and athleticism to match up with outside targets,” wrote 247Sports recruiting analyst Gabe Brooks. “Willing tackler with a lean, wiry frame that can add mass to enhance finishing strength.
“Displays sudden athleticism in press situations, whether covering short-to-intermediate routes or turning and running downfield.”
Jenkins had 26 tackles and two interceptions as a junior, according to his recruiting profile, and is the third cornerback to commit to U-M’s 2027 class, joining four-star Tavares Harrington and four-star Darius Johnson.
Michigan also has one safety commit in the class, Charles Woodson Jr., son of former U-M Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson. With the addition of Jenkins, Michigan now has 16 commits in its class of 2027 and has climbed up to No. 16.
Michigan has some recent success with players from Katy, Texas, as last year’s breakout star, Andrew Marsh, went to Katy Jordan.
Tony Garcia is the Michigan beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.
(WXYZ) — Two historic Michigan lighthouses – one in Grand Haven and the other in the Upper Peninsula – will split $120,000 in grants.
The grants come from the Michigan Lighthouse Assistance Program and the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office
Both the Grand Haven Lighthouse in West Michigan and the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society in Whitefish Point will get the funds.
“This year, SHPO is celebrating the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Michigan Lighthouse Assistance Program and is proud to be able to fund the important work that has been done across the state to repair and rehabilitate these icons of the Great Lakes,” State Historic Preservation Officer Ryan Schumaker. said in a statement “SHPO is pleased to support the ongoing efforts of the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society and the City of Grand Haven and their partner at the Grand Haven Lighthouse Conservancy to steward these properties, as well as their continued commitment to investing in these two maritime resources.”
In Grand Haven, the $60,000 grant has been matched with another $60,000. The city will hire a contractor to complete a series of interior rehabilitation projects at the lighthouse. Work includes replacing doors, restoring floors and guardrails and installing new interior wall and ceiling sheathing and trim.
WXYZ
“On behalf of the Grand Haven Lighthouse Conservancy, and in proud partnership with the City of Grand Haven, we extend our heartfelt gratitude and profound appreciation for the recent award of a Michigan Lighthouse Assistance Program grant,” noted David Karpin, the chair of the Grand Haven Lighthouse Conservancy. “This generous investment represents far more than financial assistance—it is a meaningful affirmation of our shared responsibility to preserve Michigan’s maritime heritage and protect the historic landmarks that tell the story of our Great Lakes.
The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society also received $60,000, with another $30,000 matching. The funds will be used to complete repairs and partial replacement of the metal shingle roof at the keeper’s quarters at the Whitefish Point Light Station.
WXYZ
“The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society is very pleased to have financial support from the Michigan Lighthouse Assistance Program for essential repair of the lightkeepers’ quarters roof,” noted Sean Ley, development officer for the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society. “The lightkeepers quarters is an original building of the Whitefish Point Light Station, completed in 1861. The property remains open for tours during the summer season, supporting the goal of educating the public of the essential importance of historic preservation in Michigan.”
Funding from the grants comes from the sale of specialty Save Our Lights vehicle license plates and through direct donations to the program.
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