Late on Friday, May 30th we lost our beloved Shealyn following a heartbreaking illness. She was surrounded by her family.
Shealyn was an impressively hard worker at everything she set out to do. From rowing rafts through the Grand Canyon and all over the West, to baking pastries and preparing meals belonging on magazine covers, Shealyn approached every job she held with energy and intelligence. She was determined to love what she did and do a damn fine job at it. After graduating from Laramie High School in 2003, Shealyn followed her passion for baking to Portland, OR, before returning to Laramie to pursue nursing school.
Shealyn graduated from Laramie County Community College in 2012 with an associate’s degree in nursing and in 2014 earned her CNOR (Certified Nurse Operating Room). Her ensuing career as an operating room nurse allowed her to apply her well-honed skills in a challenging and meaningful environment. Shealyn loved being a nurse and her commitment to her craft was impressive. She often came home from work gushing about things that she had learned or a unique case she had worked on. She was constantly building knowledge and skills, spending countless unpaid hours at home perfecting her suture technique or studying for new certifications. Shealyn graduated from Western Governors University in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and earned her RNFA (Registered Nurse First Assist) shortly after in 2023. Although she joked about her preference for unconscious patients, her quick wit and beautiful smile comforted many on their hardest days. Shealyn worked at Ivinson Memorial Hospital from 2012-2015 and at Premier Bone and Joint Center from 2015-2024.
Shealyn was a life-long adventurer and outdoorswoman. Raised on the rivers of the southwest with her siblings, she could row a heavily loaded raft through rapids all day and then arrive at camp and easily prepare a 5-star meal for 25 friends. Food truly was her love language. River trips became the setting for the annual Sisters Arndt Birthday Extravaganza: celebrations of epic proportions where she was able to reunite with her dear twin sister, Chelsea. The twins went to great lengths to spend their birthdays together with their friends and family, despite living 800 miles apart. Shealyn’s adventurous spirit also led her to faraway places such as Cuba, Vietnam, Mexico and Costa Rica. A winter sports enthusiast since childhood, Shealyn could shred slopes by skis or snowboard. The hills were a happy place for Shealyn. Accompanied by her trusty cow dog Dottie Jeanne, she enjoyed many days skiing, hiking, fishing, bicycling and enjoying the woods. On outings where the weather turned south, the snow sucked, or the climb was a little longer than promised, she would approach the situation with her characteristic sass and humor, heckling all the way back to the car.
Shealyn was one of the funniest people that someone could enjoy the company of. Her mischievous brand of humor brightened workplaces, homes, adventures, and many lives. She was especially proud when she was able to crack up a doctor mid-surgery, making them step away from the operating table to maintain a sterile field while laughing. She was a wild spirited firecracker and the funniest—and most dependable— person in any room.
Shealyn was many things to many people. Dedicated sister, daughter, wife, partner, friend, auntie, and dog mom. Her memory will carry on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her. She will be in the wild places and the peaceful ones. She will be with us when we remember a moment of joy shared or a naughty joke. We are all so grateful for the time we had with her though it will never be enough. Shealyn will be with us always.
Shealyn is survived by her sisters Chelsea Arndt (Kathryn Cooney) and Meggan Stansbury (Arlo), brother Zach Arndt (Jessica Kelly), mother Leslie Irving (Perry), father, Mike Arndt (Denice Napoletano), longtime partner and former spouse Austin Woody and her beloved Dottie Jeanne, along with her vast community of cherished friends and loved ones.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at Montgomery-Stryker Funeral Home.
A celebration of Shealyn’s Life will be announced at a later date.
Memorial donations may be made in Shealyn’s name to Robbie’s House, https://robbieshouselaramie.networkforgood.com/projects/236443-1000-tens and/or to the Laramie Animal Welfare Society (LAWS), https://www.laramie-animals.org/
The spunkiest, mouthiest, toughest friend I’ll ever have, and there’s not a soul who will ever fill that void. This tribute is beautiful, I only wish it were fifty more years before anyone had to write it. In one of my last texts with Shealyn, I told her that someone I loved had passed unexpectedly, and young, and she responded with concern and love and her usual frankness, adding: “Pastries help.” The only successful baking I’ve ever done was with SheaShea supervising, so I won’t bother to try it myself, but you better believe I’m going to dig some lefse out of the back of the freezer and go find some very good patisserie and buy a huckleberry pie at the market, and let myself pretend she’s there to share it all. All my love to all of you.
Though I only met my cousin Shealyn in person one time, she was definitely the brightest light in any room we were in. Her humor and wit were unsurpassed and in just the first 5 minutes I spent with her, I knew without a doubt that we were related. I'm so sorry that I couldn't say goodbye in person beautiful cousin Shealyn, but I'll be saying it a thousand times until the grief is gone. You were called home much too young but I know that you are in the company of your grandpa Les, and your aunt Yvonne. I'll keep your memory with me forever. Love, cousin Steve
She was truly a gifted nurse. Took wonderful care of my patients. Will miss her deeply.
Shealyn was such a bright star, and her sudden departure from this realm will be felt deeply, like a sudden knife wound that you look down at with shock, even before it can start bleeding or begin to hurt. This bright angel will be greatly missed by the Flagstaff community as well, it was such a special occasion to have her visit us. Know that we are thinking of her poor dear Austin and family, that we know are only just beginning to learn to live without this amazing woman in their lives. With deepest condolences.
Oh my, I am so sorry for your loss.