Stephanie Wishmyer's Obituary
Stephanie Elaine Wishmyer, aged 36, suddenly and unexpectedly, left this life and entered into eternity in the presence of the resurrected Christ, August 8, 2024.
Born at Peninsula General Hospital, Salisbury, Maryland, May 11, 1988; she was the beloved daughter of Deborah Godwin Wishmyer and James Norman Wishmyer, and younger sister of Christine Elizabeth (Wishmyer) Waite.
Stephanie leaves her family to cherish her memory, including her husband, Peter West Twigg; her parents: Jim and Debbie Wishmyer; her sister and brother-in-law: Chrissy and Will Waite; her nephew and niece Liam and Emma Waite; her father and mother in-law: Mike and Sandy Twigg; her maternal Grandmother: Jean Godwin; a brother-in-law: Jack Twigg and Ava Afghahi; her uncles and aunts: Randy and Debi Wishmyer, Jeff and Patrice Wishmyer, David and Brenda Godwin, Elise (Godwin) and Michael Hagan; along with 10 cousins, and 2 step-cousins.
Stephanie had a heart for helping others, and genuine gifts for teaching, whether in aquatics or in the classroom. These gifts were evident early in life when growing up in Stafford, VA. As a high school student at North Stafford High School (2006), she used her knowledge and love of swimming to patiently teach others to swim, and how to overcome their fear of water. It was during high school that she also began donating her beautiful red hair to “Locks of Love” for those with red hair undergoing cancer treatment. During and after earning her bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in Journalism at Randolph Macon College (2010), she continued giving swim lessons, helping children to “do their best” in the water. Later, she taught group lessons through her work at the Reston YMCA, and the Silver Spring YMCA.
After spending 6 years working as a teacher in private school settings, working as an aquatics assistant manager for the Reston YMCA and Silver Spring (MD) YMCA, and employment as an Activities Coordinator for two separate elder care facilities, she finally returned to the classroom this past year. There she found her true niche. Employed by Invo Healthcare as a contract teacher in Loudoun County Public Schools, she taught children with Autism at Round Hill Elementary. She loved her class of 3rd through 5th graders and was passionate about helping them develop to be their best selves. So much so, that she went back to school full-time, while working full-time, in order to earn her Master’s Degree in Special Education at Shenandoah University..
It was while working as an assistant manager at the Silver Spring YMCA, that Stephanie met the love of her life, Peter (Pete) Twigg. His parents and her parents agreed: the two of them were made for each other in a marvelous way. They had two wedding ceremonies in 2021 due to COVID: the first was outdoors in March, overlooking the Potomac River with their dog, Ciana, as witness, and Stephanie’s dad, a United Methodist pastor, as celebrant. Then in September, numerous family and friends gathered to celebrate their vows again. To kick off the wedding reception, she convinced her dad to do “The Twist” for the father-daughter dance.
She and Peter then made their home in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, along with their cherished dog Ciana. When Ciana passed away, they welcomed two new dogs into their family, Sunshine and Sweet Potato. Recently, they adopted a third pet: an adorable kitten, “Tornado” Jones, from Shirley’s Animals.
We mourn our loss and the extinguishing of her bright, caring, sensitive, joyful light. She brought such joy to our family and those who knew her. We miss her deeply. Stephanie loved people (and animals alike) and without trying, she naturally shared God’s love and acceptance of others wherever she went, inspiring others to be their best. Galatians 5:22-23 in the Bible comes to mind to aptly describe the kind of person she was: loving, joyful, striving for peace and reconciliation, patient, kind, good, generous, faithful, gentle and even tempered (unless you really irritated her).
We know that the ripple effects of her life live on in the lives of others; and we are confident that she has been welcomed into the arms of her savior and ours. Yes, and a voice of joy has been added to the laughter of heaven; the beautiful sound of her singing now blends with countless other voices in praise to our God.
And we who are left behind must pick up the pieces of our broken hearts, trusting God will help us mend. And as we do, we look forward to being welcomed again one day into her arms, even as the arms of our savior embrace us all.
A “Celebration of Life and Resurrection Hope” will be held on Saturday, September 7, at 2:00 pm, at Leesburg United Methodist Church, 107 W Market Street, Leesburg, VA. A time of visitation will be from 1:00-1:50 pm; with a reception at the church immediately following the service. Please visit the church’s website for directions and parking – www.leesburgumc.org
In lieu of flowers, we ask that you please consider making a donation to www.shirleysanimals.org – Stephanie and Pete supported the work of animal rescue and adoption; www.autismspeaks.org - a non-profit “dedicated to creating an inclusive world for all individuals with autism”; Leesburg UMC Memorial Fund, www.leesburgumc.org – the church her father served as pastor for 16 years prior to retiring. Thank you!
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