Jessica Beard Passes Away

    Jessica Stachitas Beard, age 30, passed away due to complications from metastatic breast cancer at her home the evening of February 28, 2022, surrounded by family and close friends.
    She was born July 11, 1991, in Silver Spring, Maryland to Kelly Shipler and Bruce Stachitas. She married Jon Beard, the love of her life, on the family farm on October 15, 2016. Jess graduated from Northeast High School in Pasadena, Maryland. She attended Towson University where she received a BA with a double major in criminology and psychology. She was a member of Alpha XI Delta sorority. Jess lived on the family farm in Davidsonville, with her husband Jon, their dogs Monkey and Myko and their cat Luna. She embraced life on the farm and developed an interest in both indoor and outdoor gardening. She had an intense love of family and was always happiest when her families got together. Jess lived life to the fullest under extraordinary circumstances. She was adventurous and fun loving. She was an avid Harry Potter fan, loved trips to Disney World and to the beach, and enjoyed dressing up to attend the Renaissance Festival with Jon and her family and friends. Jess's interests included sports and competition. She played four years of varsity soccer and lacrosse in high school. She and her husband enjoyed playing coed soccer, flag football, kick ball and pickleball. She was an avid Washington Capitals fan. Jess was active in the cancer support community. She was a passionate advocate for not only her own care but for the care of others. She connected with many people battling cancer across he country and in other countries as well and was an inspiration to everyone who read about her journey on her social media posts. She was active in the Ulman Foundation which is dedicated to creating a community of support for young adults with cancer and their loved ones. She advocated for raising awareness of Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer and supported fundraising for METAvivor Research and Support. She created the Disney inspired Respite Retreats Ears Over Fears program which helped children with cancer openly discuss and bravely face their fears.
     Jess is preceded in death by her paternal aunt Tracy Stachitas and her maternal great grandmothers June Zink and Virginia Shipler. In addition to her husband, Jon Beard, she is survived by her parents Kelly Shipler (Steve Jensen) and Bruce and Stacy Stachitas, grandparents Bruce and Carol Stachitas, Dianne Shipler, Irene (Judy) Purdy, and two brothers Bruce Stachitas III and Drew Stachitas. Jess was blessed with a big family which included aunts, uncles, cousins, in laws, nieces and nephews as well as many close friends who mourn her loss.
     The family requests that contributions be made in Jess's memory to METAvivor Research and Support Inc., the Ulman Foundation, or Respite Retreats Ears Over Fears Program. Family and friends gathered on the family farm for a celebration of her life on March 12. Burial will be private.

    For  info about Jessica and Jon's marriage,  go to:    https://davidsonvillenews.blogspot.com/2016/11/beard-and-stachitas-married.html