Kirsten Beeker

Kirsten Beeker, 52, of Spartanburg, SC, passed away on Tuesday, July 28, 2015 at Spartanburg Medical Center after a long struggle. Born in Richmond, VA on November 23, 1962 to Hazel James and Charles William Miller, she grew up in Virginia Beach, VA and Durham, NC, graduating from Jordan High School. A devoted and wonderful wife of 33 years to her High School sweetheart, Ed and a loving mother to 26 year old Will, she has touched the lives of thousands over the course of her short years with us. As an Army wife, she pioneered the concept of the family support group and worked tirelessly as a community advocate, earning numerous awards and accolades, among them the Artillery Order of Molly Pitcher. After graduating at the top of her nursing class at USC Upstate, she worked as a staff nurse, Clinical Unit Educator, and nurse navigator. As a nurse navigator she guided hundreds of women and their families through the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, helping them to understand and cope with their journey through treatment. An Oncology Certified Nurse and Certified Breast Cancer Navigator, she was an officer in the Upstate chapter of the Oncology Nursing Society, and co-founder of South Carolina's first chapter of the Academy of Oncology Nurse Navigators. Kirsten loved her Shetland sheepdogs and earned numerous titles in agility and obedience as an accomplished trainer, serving as an officer in the Palmetto Obedience Training Club and as a longtime member of the Sheltie Club. She loved camping at Hunting Island and Davidson River, hiking, and biking with her family. In addition to her husband, Ed, and son, Will, Kirsten is survived by her brother, Chuck of Durham, NC; and sister-in-law, Jennifer of Durham, NC. The family will host a gathering in Kirsten's honor at 6:00 PM Friday, July 31, 2015, at Gibbs Cancer Center-Spartanburg Medical Center. Her wonderful spirit will be celebrated at 2:00 PM Saturday, August 1, 2015, at Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel, 2075 E. Main St., Spartanburg, SC 29307. Visitation will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Foundation Mammogram Funds in memory of Kirsten Beeker, 101 East Wood Street, Spartanburg, SC 29303. Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Kirsten Beeker please visit our Sympathy Store.