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Memorial Keepers(2)
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Shana Nova Borenstein
September 24th, 1982 - 2020
September 24th, 1982 - 2020
"Growing up doesn't have to mean abandoning anything, except the illusion that you are immortal, and the romantic fantasy that you will probably die in a sudden blaze of glory, a righteous shoot-out with the police, or a well-timed overdose when everything is otherwise great. Chances are, a few of us will die in a dramatic or sudden way, but most of us will get sick, or (if we are fortunate) very old." --Shana Borenstein, 2004
Shana Nova Borenstein, beloved daughter, sister, aunt, and friend, died suddenly of unknown causes. She is survived by her parents, Trina and Nathaniel Borenstein, her sisters, Lea (Michael) Grover and Miriam (Daniel) Mora, her nieces, Sophia, Deborah, and Rivka Grover, her nephew, Judah Mora, and her husband, Kirk Kitchen.
Shana was born in Pittsburgh, PA, but the most formative years of her childhood were lived in Morristown, NJ. It was there she began to show her deep insightfulness, her unwavering loyalty to her friends, and her sense of adventure. When her family moved to Ann Arbor, MI at the onset of her teen years, she quickly met the friends who became a second, chosen family throughout her life. Shana's ties to her friends, community, and family meant the world to her.
She was dedicated to addressing sources of injustice in her world, whether protesting Trump's immigration policies or supporting local LGBTQIA health services. Her nieces held a special place in her heart, and she was looking forward to building a meaningful relationship with her new nephew, as well.
Over the last twelve years, Shana overcame hardships that she once believed insurmountable, becoming the incredible woman we all believed she could be, and more. It has been one of the most profound joys to her parents and sisters to have her in their lives, the best Shana of all possible Shanas, funny and smart and compassionately present. She was a gift to all of us, and to the world. And she is horribly missed.
There are no current plans for a funeral, but the family will be sitting Shiva virtually. Details are forthcoming.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Shana's memory to Howard Brown Health Centers, https://howardbrown.org/
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Tributes
Share a favorite memory, send condolences, and honor Shana’s life with a heartfelt message.
Jackalyn Launius
I know whatever I could say will not ease your pain,but just know Allan and I are thinking of you both. Love Jackie and Allan
Tom And Cheryl Neuendorffer
This is how we remember Shana, sharing peace with a friend amidst the chaos of life . A beautiful, funny, intelligent and creative soul who danced whole heartily to the beat of a different drummer. Granted, sometimes it may have been with red wax lips and a bright orange wig but Shana was always Shana and nothing less. We will miss her and will keep her always in our heart. All our love to her family at this sad time.
Jocelyn Kitchen
Shana was a delightful person and I felt so lucky when she married my brother. I adored her and her family and wish we would have had more time to spend together. I will always love and miss you, Shana. I will always love and miss you, Shana
Nathaniel Borenstein
To Shana, 1982-2020 The day you were born was the happiest day I had yet known. I held you in my arms, and believed that I would spend the rest of my life loving you and trying to protect you Protecting you became hard in your wild later years as we fought over everything and nothing. I secretly admired and even envied your bravery and daring but constantly feared the worst: outliving you Though I have studied many religions, prayer has never come easy to me I can't muster the hubris to ask favors or demands of the omnipotent My attempts start and end with, "Thy will be done." But I do not want to believe in a God whose will is so cruel. As you reached mature adulthood our battles ceased For the first time in over a decade, you said, hesitantly, that you loved me. In the last few years we talked frequently, often for hours, never fighting. We ended every call with "I love you" and I dared believe this would end only with my death, not yours. I will remember you in your early years When you would choose saving paper over staying out of trouble at school And in your later years When one of your last messages to me was about a stranger who needed our help. And for the way you battled your own demons and inspired us all with your victory. I may some day stop crying but I will never stop loving and missing you.
Sara Jutcgeb
Dear sweet sister-in-law, I wish I we had had more time to get to know each other. I know you will be missed by your family, friends, and so many others who, like me, found you so easy to love. Safe journeys, little traveller.
Jamie Whittaker
Shana Borenstein is the only one who would remember me I got to be her boyfriend for a short while I dated her when she was goth smoked clove cigarettes I remember taking her to drivers ed at Sears. Shana was my 2nd girlfriend we seen city of angels but didn't really watch the movie we made out. I will always miss you my goth girlfriend
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