Stefanie Lynn Spielman

Stefanie Lynn Spielman, age 42 of Upper Arlington, Ohio went home to be with God on Thursday, November 19, 2009. Her deep and abiding faith in her Lord, Jesus Christ sustained her, gave her peace and the assurance that she would spend eternity with Him. She touched many lives reflecting God’s goodness, grace and love to all that knew her.

She is survived by her devoted husband of more than 20 years, Chris Spielman. They were the love of each others lives, best friends and confidants. Together they have four children, Madison, Noah, Macy and Audrey to whom she was a dedicated and loving mother. Preceded in death by her father Richard Belcher and father-in-law Charles Spielman, she is survived by her mother Myra Belcher of Upper Arlington, Ohio and mother-in-law Nancy Spielman of Eden Prarie, Minnesota. She also leaves behind three sisters Sue (Bill) Fitz of Upper Arlington, Ohio, Sandy Belcher of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and Cindy Belcher of Bangor, California, a brother-in-law Rick Spielman (Michelle) of Eden Prarie, Minnesota, several nieces and nephews as well as many friends whom she loved and admired.

A graduate of Jackson High School in Massillon, Ohio (1985) and The Ohio State University (1989), Stefanie was passionate about preventing and finding a cure for breast cancer, a disease she was first diagnosed with in 1998. One of her legacies, The Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research at the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute grew from her willingness to discuss her illness publicly. Launched in 1998, the fund's original goal of $250,000 was easily surpassed in the first six months of its existence and to date more than $6.5 million has been raised for breast cancer research and prevention. More recently, she helped establish The Stefanie Spielman Patient Assistance Fund, which provides assistance to breast cancer patients and their families who may be experiencing financial challenges associated with treatment.

Public calling hours will be held between the hours of 1:00 PM and 8:00 PM Monday, November 23rd at Longaberger Alumni House, 2200 Olentangy River Road, Columbus, Ohio. A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at 11:30 A.M. on Tuesday, November 24th at Trinity United Methodist Church, 1581 Cambridge Blvd., Marble Cliff, Ohio. Reverend Philip Brooks officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to The Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research or The Stefanie Spielman Patient Assistance Fund. Contributions to either fund should be sent to The James Development Office 660 Ackerman Road, P.O. Box 183112, Columbus, OH 43218-3112. Arrangements by SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST CHAPEL, 1740 Zollinger Rd. Please visit www.schoedinger.com to view Stefanie's tribute video, offer your condolences, and receive information to watch her memorial service via webcast.