Loving mother, talented artist, friend to animals

Shana Marie Michny died peacefully in her sleep on October 12, 2015. She was 45 years young and was looking forward to many more years.

She was born in Oxnard on February 11, 1970. She was a beautiful baby, toddler and preschooler—perfect strangers would comment that, “she ought to be in pictures.” The family moved to Sacramento, where Shana attended preschool, elementary and middle school as well as three years of high school.

Her growing up had three distinct aspects. She was a fierce competitor on the soccer and softball fields and on the volleyball court, never hanging back from a challenge. She began tap classes in first grade and later added jazz and ballet; the same feet that loved wearing spiked athletic shoes had a natural grace and rhythm on the dance floor. The third standout piece in Shana’s childhood was that, again in first grade, her teachers identified her for the Gifted and Talented Education program. She was a fast learner, always striving to keep up with her older sister Victoria.

The summer prior to Shana’s senior year, she chose to move with her mother and stepfather to Claremont, graduating from Claremont High School in 1988. She was gifted in multi-media drawing and painting, but at CHS was introduced to photography. She loved bringing what she saw through the lens to life in the processing and developing classes.

During the next two years, Ms. Michny was a full-time student at Mt. SAC and worked as office manager in a small office supply and print shop. Just weeks before she turned 21, she gave birth to her son Cody James. He was her pride and joy every day for the next 24 years. She enjoyed serving as room mother at Condit Elementary School, team mom for soccer and assistant den leader for Cub and Boy Scouts. She was a member of the Claremont United Church of Christ, and had enough credits in early childhood development to work in their preschool as a teaching assistant. She loved family pets and found much solace in them, especially as her health began to decline.

For the last 15 years, Ms. Michny was increasingly affected by depression and anxiety disorder. Her physical health also deteriorated due to severe asthma, kidney and cardiac conditions. Since 2008, she lived in San Pedro with her best friend, partner and, later, caregiver Tony Bainbridge.

“Shana had a huge heart and in return was loved by many. She was an exceptionally beautiful person,” her family shared.

She was predeceased by her stepfather James Goodrich and her grandparents, Bill and Ann Kollar and Frank and Helen Michny. She is survived by her son Cody James Michny (Natalie Solis) of Claremont/Upland; her mother Sharon Goodrich of Claremont; her father and stepmother, Frank Michny and Valerie Hankins of Newcastle, California; her sisters Victoria Michny Barr (Thomas) and Ashley Hankins Michny; and her beloved nephews Matthew and Nathan. She also leaves her partner Tony Bainbridge and their kitty Snoopi and numerous family and friends.

There will be a celebration of Shana’s life on Saturday, November 7 from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Bucca di Beppo, located at 505 W. Foothill Blvd. in Claremont. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations in Shana’s memory be made to Paws 4 Healing (www.pawsforhealing. org), Pet Partners (www.petpartners.org) or Priceless Pet Rescue, 2587 Chino Hills, CA 91709.