Stephanie Demore Dunshee, 34, of Torrington died peacefully October 3 at St Mary’s Hospital in Waterbury, after courageously battling stage 4 breast cancer for more than five years. She was born in Rockville, Conn., December 13, 1979.

Ms Dunshee’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 in Newtown. A devoted teacher, Ms Dunshee always went above and beyond to reach each and every child. As a result, many Newtown students benefited from her kindness and dedication. She treated all her classroom children as if they were her own.

She graduated from WAMOGO Regional High School in 1997, and received her master of arts in education from the University of Connecticut in 2002. On October 13, 2006, she married Robert Dunshee of Sherburne, N.Y., and later gave birth to their son, Gabriel Demore Dunshee, which she always said was the best thing she ever did.

Ms Dunshee was a devoted wife and mother. She loved cuddling up with her son, 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.

She 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.

Ms Dunshee 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 is screened for cancer, and that a cure is found soon.

Surviving family members are her husband and son; parents Brenda and Carl Demore; sisters Elizabeth Forsberg and Stacy Taylor, and husband Jim; grandparents Ida and Carl Demore; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Her family will receive relatives and friends Friday, October 10, from 4 to 8 pm, at Rowe Funeral Home, 283 Torrington Road, Litchfield. A Mass celebrating her life will be take place Saturday, October 11, at 10 am, at St Thomas of Villanova, 71 North Street, Goshen.

For those interested, memorial donations may be made to the Connecticut Breast Health Initiative, Inc, 185 Main Street, #210, New Britain CT 06051.

Visit  www.rowefuneralhome.net to send the family an online condolence.