Amy Chenier Kositzke

Faced with a terminal brain tumor diagnosis in 2005, Amy Chenier Kositzke showed up at the First Annual Walk in the Park to do something about it. Her mother, Nancy Chenier, recalls "Amy never complained throughout her five-year struggle." Instead, Amy faced her diagnosis "with hope and her constant upbeat attitude and smile." Amy shared that upbeat attitude and smile with hundreds of people at Walk in the Park over the years. We whole-heartedly dedicate the 2010 Walk in the Park to her memory.

From the start, Amy refused to let a tumor stand in the way of the things she loved. She enjoyed the outdoors and set out hiking and rock-collecting whenever she had the opportunity. Amy liked the way the world looked through a camera lens, and was an accomplished photographer.

Amy's outlook was positive from the very beginning. A note in her baby book reflects her parents' amazement at that smile of hers, present even in the earliest pages of her life. "A gift from God," they said.

In her youth, Amy felt a calling to help those in need. When she was in the sixth grade and the other students were bullying another girl in her class, Amy boldly stood up for her. The girl's mother never forgot Amy's kindness.

As an adult, Amy continued to reach out to others. A devout Roman Catholic, Amy was very active in her church - St. Anne's in Escanaba. She taught religious education at All Saints Church in Gladstone, was a member of "Yahweh's Yoopers" - a Catholic group providing encouragement to youth, and enjoyed working with the youth of the church in many roles.

Amy's cheerful disposition and desire to help those in need were a perfect fit for her chosen profession as a special education teacher. She earned a Master's Degree in the special education field from NMU in 2001. She taught at Gladstone Middle School for the last nine years, her love for her work enabling her to continue teaching through the challenges of her illness.

In November of 2008, Amy found another perfect fit - she married Todd Kositzke in a beautiful ceremony at St. Anne's Catholic Church in Escanaba. Amy first met Todd as she was preparing to remodel her new home. He sold carpeting and the rest is history. Todd stood by Amy with true devotion and care. Amy loved him right back, keeping the hope for a cure in her prayers.

We'd like to thank Amy's husband, parents, and extended family for supporting the search for a cure through Walk in the Park during Amy's journey. We will miss her warm, genuine smile, and the personality that matched it.