Vanessa Lyn Waker

After 14 months of a courageous battle with a rare disease called HLH, our heavy hearts will begin to figure out how to survive a world without Vanessa in it. From diagnosis in July of 2023, she has fought a fight that was so courageous it was completely awe inspiring. She never had a day without Determination and Hope. This disease is horrifying but it never won the battle with Vanessa. It only won the battle with her body Not her spirit. She would want to thank her incredible Doctor/ Oncologist and friend, Dr. Ahmad Shaker, who’s knowledge and research and compassion gave her strength and determination and hope. Thank you, Dr. Shaker for giving us more time with her.

Born on January 17, 1984, in Winslow, Maine. Her entire childhood was spent in Winslow, making lifetime friends along the way. She relocated to Florida and started her career in Law Enforcement, which was a goal and dream to accomplish and she did. She then went to work at Bay Pines VA Hospital in St. Petersburg, FL. She started at the very bottom and climbed the ladder quickly, rung after rung. Her hard work and dedication moved her into a position working for the Department of Veterans Affairs Central Office in Washington, D.C. as a Program Specialist. She became an integral part of mandating Quality and Patient Safety in our VA system. She was so proud of her work and she Made a Difference!!

Vanessa is predeceased by her father, Eric L. Hapworth, her Paternal Grandparents Neil and Patricia Hapworth, her Maternal Grandparents Jules and Bertha Bolduc, her Maternal Aunt Linda Levesque and Paternal Aunt Linda Hapworth, her cousins, Chris, Carol and Joshua Bolduc, and other family and many wonderful friends that are now all standing by her side.

Her life will continue to be celebrated by her husband, Michael Waker and 2 beautiful children, Brandon and Reagan Waker, Her Mom, Laurie Milton and Stepfather Bruce Milton, her sister Lindsey Tryon and family Jay Tryon and Noah and Piper Tryon. So many Aunts and Uncles and Cousins and extended family that she loved immensely. Her friends and work colleagues from around this country and especially her Florida Friends that filled her life.

SURVIVING THIS WORLD WITHOUT HER IN IT FEELS IMPOSSIBLE

Putting Vanessa on paper is an unspeakable task. Her spirit was so strong and loving. The joy she carried completely filled a room. Her smile, her laugh, truly like no other. She always knew the direction to go and took everyone with her for the ride. Life and living, was an adventure that was to be felt and enjoyed and remembered. No room for sadness and could not understand losing time to sorrow. She was the glue that held friends and family and life together.

We have all been so lucky to have had her in our lives. Her children, Brandon and Reagan, were her life!! She was so incredibly proud and so in love with them. They filled her up Every minute of Every day. Her greatest most treasured possession, she leaves in our hands.

Her husband, Mike, was her 20-year life partner. She knew she could ask him for Anything and he would always provide and be by her side. No matter the struggles life put in the way, their love and commitment to each other was endless and boundless and beautiful.

Her sister Lindsey, also her life partner. The One! The one you share everything with, the up’s, the downs, the challenges, the triumphs, your goals, your dreams, and your pain. Both truly needing and loving each other so much and loving each other’s families immensely! Noah and Piper and fun Uncle Jay, she Loved you.

Her Stepdad, Bruce, the special man who came into her life as a teenager and supported and loved her every single day, from the start to the very end. She loved and she needed you.

Her mom, Laurie, 40 years watching: A Bond so Deep!! A Love so Pure and Real!! And a VOID so VAST!!!

Her friends, her family, Aunts, Uncles, cousins, extended family There are no words to express how important they were to her. Over the years her old friends and her new friends filled her up in a way that was so BEAUTIFUL. Her time with them made her Better…Stronger… and more Joyful.

Vanessa leaves behind a multitude of Family, Friends and Co-workers around this country that will forever remember her Smile, her Laugh, her Joy, her Determination and her Courage. Make sure to tell the special people in your lives, you love them, Life would be different without them, Spend Time with your kids, put your phone down, pause your work, Don’t Sweat the small stuff, give everyone a hug, be proud, Have fun, and Smile. Challenge yourself and live your BEST LIVES and just BE BETTER!

To all that she loved, she would ask you to surround her children, Brandon and Reagan and remind them every single day the gift they were to her. Tell them stories, make them laugh and feel joy, and most importantly, Passionately LOVE them just like she did!

VANESSA:

Fly High, Fly Free, Fly Bold and Beautiful!

Fill the sky with Love and Laughter and Joy!

Love on your Dad, he has missed you so much!

You will always be our Courageous HERO and so loved for Eternity!

We Will Miss You!!!

A celebration of Vanessa’s life will be held on September 21, 2024, at Serenity Funeral Home, located at 13401 Indian Rocks Road, Largo, Florida 33774. Doors will open at 12:30 p.m., with the family present. A short service will commence inside at 1:30 p.m., followed by a committal service at Serenity Gardens Memorial Park at 3:00 p.m. After the committal, family and friends are invited back to Serenity Funeral Home for the Celebration of Life from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, Vanessa’s family asks that donations be made to her children’s fund to support Brandon and Reagan. Contributions can be made through the following link: https://gofund.me/70eafd78