Obituary for Amber Stefanie Takesh
Amber Stefanie Takesh
September 3, 1998 - October 6, 2022
It is with heavy and broken hearts that we share the news that Amber Stefanie Takesh, age 24, has lost her battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) on October 6, 2022, with her beloved family by her side. To say our world has turned upside down is an understatement and we are completely devastated.
Amber grew up in Montville, N.J. and graduated from Montville Township High School in 2016. She attended James Madison University, earning her Bachelor’s Degree in December, 2019, and Master’s Degree in Accounting in December 2020. She was a member of the Sigma Kappa sorority. She also earned her CPA, passing all 4 parts of the CPA exam the first time with high scores. After college, Amber relocated to Arlington, Virginia and worked as an Accountant at KPMG. Amber moved back to N.J. to live with her mother in Cedar Grove, N.J. once diagnosed with AML.
Amber was always such a hard-working person and an overachiever. She was her own person and always marched to the beat of her own drum. She definitely was a force to be reckoned with. She was also a bright and bubbly light to all that knew her, with a contagious laugh that you couldn’t help but laugh along with, regardless of if you knew why you were laughing. Her light could fill up a room. Her heart was pure, and she was such a genuine caring person. She was loved and she touched so many lives. She was our Amber Baby, also known as our Amber Sunshine.
Amber fought such a hard fight since her diagnosis in March, 2021. She truly was the ultimate warrior. She faced her battle with courage, strength, positivity, composure, determination, dignity, and grace. She would not let leukemia define her. We are all in awe of her. We are truly broken and this loss will leave a tremendous void in our lives. We lost our Sunshine so our days will forever be darker, but her light will live in us and we will live for her.
During her leukemia battle Amber kept busy. She read 67 books, completed 85 puzzles, did many art projects, played games, watched her favorite TV shows, and found new ones to watch, knitted a blanket, practiced yoga, meditation and reiki, walked, did writing exercises, participated in cancer support groups, and authored an article which was recently published in Elephants and Tea.
Amber was treated and cared for by the most dedicated and caring medical teams and staff at the John Theurer Cancer Center and Hackensack University Medical Center. She was more than just a patient; she was treated like family and she was loved. We laughed and cried together. We are so grateful for the compassionate care and attention she received from everyone.
We are so proud of Amber. Even at the end, she continued to be brave and strong and communicated her wishes. She’s truly our hero and always will be. The world needs more people like Amber. Live your life in strength, peace, and light like our Amber Baby Sunshine. Think of her, and think to yourself, “What would Amber do? 💛🌻 #amberstrong
To read more about Amber’s journey, please visit her CaringBridge site.
Amber is predeceased by her maternal grandmother, Agostina “Tina” McMahon, her paternal grandfather, Robert Takesh, and her precious dog, Cookie. She is survived by her mother, Marie McMahon; father, Steven Takesh; sister, Amanda Takesh; maternal grandfather, John McMahon; paternal grandmother, Marilyn Takesh; and several aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Visitation will be on Monday, October 10, 2022 from 3-7 p.m. at Shook’s Cedar Grove Funeral Home, 486 Pompton Avenue, Cedar Grove, N.J. 07009. A prayer service will be offered at 6:30 p.m. Cremation will be private and her family plans to scatter her ashes in Cape May, N.J., one of her favorite and meaningful places filled with many happy memories.
In lieu of flowers, baskets, etc., which we don’t need compared to the need for a cure for others, donations, if you wish, would be appreciated to any of the organizations below. It is our hope that cures for blood cancers will be developed so no one else has to go through what our family has. No parent should lose a child, no sibling should lose their sibling, no family member should lose their family member, and no friend should lose their friend to this horrible, cruel disease. We did not get our cure and better days, but we hope others can.
Donations in Memory of Amber Takesh may be made to:
1)Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS): NJ Big Climb Fundraiser for Team Amber Strong
2)John Theurer Cancer Center, Hackensack Meridian Health, Hackensack, NJ
Please select Leukemia Division under the Program drop down menu.
3)Be the Match
Swab to be entered into the donor registry database (ages 18-40) or donate financially if you are over 40.
About AML
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a cancer of the bone marrow and the blood and progresses rapidly. AML starts in the bone marrow (the soft inner part of certain bones, where new blood cells are made) but most often it quickly moves into the blood, as well. It can sometimes spread to other parts of the body including the lymph nodes, liver, spleen, and central nervous system (brain and spinal cord).
September 3, 1998 - October 6, 2022
It is with heavy and broken hearts that we share the news that Amber Stefanie Takesh, age 24, has lost her battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) on October 6, 2022, with her beloved family by her side. To say our world has turned upside down is an understatement and we are completely devastated.
Amber grew up in Montville, N.J. and graduated from Montville Township High School in 2016. She attended James Madison University, earning her Bachelor’s Degree in December, 2019, and Master’s Degree in Accounting in December 2020. She was a member of the Sigma Kappa sorority. She also earned her CPA, passing all 4 parts of the CPA exam the first time with high scores. After college, Amber relocated to Arlington, Virginia and worked as an Accountant at KPMG. Amber moved back to N.J. to live with her mother in Cedar Grove, N.J. once diagnosed with AML.
Amber was always such a hard-working person and an overachiever. She was her own person and always marched to the beat of her own drum. She definitely was a force to be reckoned with. She was also a bright and bubbly light to all that knew her, with a contagious laugh that you couldn’t help but laugh along with, regardless of if you knew why you were laughing. Her light could fill up a room. Her heart was pure, and she was such a genuine caring person. She was loved and she touched so many lives. She was our Amber Baby, also known as our Amber Sunshine.
Amber fought such a hard fight since her diagnosis in March, 2021. She truly was the ultimate warrior. She faced her battle with courage, strength, positivity, composure, determination, dignity, and grace. She would not let leukemia define her. We are all in awe of her. We are truly broken and this loss will leave a tremendous void in our lives. We lost our Sunshine so our days will forever be darker, but her light will live in us and we will live for her.
During her leukemia battle Amber kept busy. She read 67 books, completed 85 puzzles, did many art projects, played games, watched her favorite TV shows, and found new ones to watch, knitted a blanket, practiced yoga, meditation and reiki, walked, did writing exercises, participated in cancer support groups, and authored an article which was recently published in Elephants and Tea.
Amber was treated and cared for by the most dedicated and caring medical teams and staff at the John Theurer Cancer Center and Hackensack University Medical Center. She was more than just a patient; she was treated like family and she was loved. We laughed and cried together. We are so grateful for the compassionate care and attention she received from everyone.
We are so proud of Amber. Even at the end, she continued to be brave and strong and communicated her wishes. She’s truly our hero and always will be. The world needs more people like Amber. Live your life in strength, peace, and light like our Amber Baby Sunshine. Think of her, and think to yourself, “What would Amber do? 💛🌻 #amberstrong
To read more about Amber’s journey, please visit her CaringBridge site.
Amber is predeceased by her maternal grandmother, Agostina “Tina” McMahon, her paternal grandfather, Robert Takesh, and her precious dog, Cookie. She is survived by her mother, Marie McMahon; father, Steven Takesh; sister, Amanda Takesh; maternal grandfather, John McMahon; paternal grandmother, Marilyn Takesh; and several aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Visitation will be on Monday, October 10, 2022 from 3-7 p.m. at Shook’s Cedar Grove Funeral Home, 486 Pompton Avenue, Cedar Grove, N.J. 07009. A prayer service will be offered at 6:30 p.m. Cremation will be private and her family plans to scatter her ashes in Cape May, N.J., one of her favorite and meaningful places filled with many happy memories.
In lieu of flowers, baskets, etc., which we don’t need compared to the need for a cure for others, donations, if you wish, would be appreciated to any of the organizations below. It is our hope that cures for blood cancers will be developed so no one else has to go through what our family has. No parent should lose a child, no sibling should lose their sibling, no family member should lose their family member, and no friend should lose their friend to this horrible, cruel disease. We did not get our cure and better days, but we hope others can.
Donations in Memory of Amber Takesh may be made to:
1)Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS): NJ Big Climb Fundraiser for Team Amber Strong
2)John Theurer Cancer Center, Hackensack Meridian Health, Hackensack, NJ
Please select Leukemia Division under the Program drop down menu.
3)Be the Match
Swab to be entered into the donor registry database (ages 18-40) or donate financially if you are over 40.
About AML
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a cancer of the bone marrow and the blood and progresses rapidly. AML starts in the bone marrow (the soft inner part of certain bones, where new blood cells are made) but most often it quickly moves into the blood, as well. It can sometimes spread to other parts of the body including the lymph nodes, liver, spleen, and central nervous system (brain and spinal cord).