Amy Michele Huffaker (Izatt) was diagnosed with Stage 3C Ovarian Cancer in December 2011 and struggled with many ups and downs both physically and emotionally for more than three years as she worked with her medical team to treat the cancer and search for a cure. She declined rapidly at the start of 2015 when the treatments became ineffective and there were no other viable options. Amy died on March 19, 2015 in her husband’s arms, in the peace and comfort of her own home in Arizona.
Amy was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho to Kent Izatt and Carolyn Dutson (both Surviving) on Jan 29, 1974. She grew up in Ririe, Idaho and graduated from Ririe High School. After attending Idaho State University, Amy was swept off her feet by and married to Marvin Huffaker (Surviving) from Menan, Idaho. The couple started a family and raised two fantastic children, Austin and Jasmine (Both Surviving). Initially as a mother and homemaker, Amy was extremely supportive of Marvin’s career that took them to Michigan (Go Blue) and then later to Arizona where they settled and have resided for the past 14 years. Once both kids were old enough to go to school full time, Amy joined Marvin in his IT consulting business and provided critical office support and accounting functions.
Amy was a strong, independent, and stubborn woman, and refused to conform to social norms that might be expected of a housewife born and raised in a small farm town with heavy religious influence. She lived with no regrets, was capable of forming independent thoughts, took full responsibility for her own actions, and generally decided to be a happy person despite what was going on around her. She lived by one simple quote: “You can make yourself happy or you can make yourself miserable, the amount of effort is the same.”
One of Amy’s hobbies was crafting with cross-stitch patterns. For years she created her own patterns and spent hours and even days stitching, unpicking, and starting over on projects until she got them right. In early 2014, when Amy’s condition seemed to be stabilizing, she formed the company Hunibears, LLC and published for sale nearly 100 unique and original digital cross-stitch patterns. The patterns are paper-doll style bears with matching clothing, but all done in cross-stitch. Her goal was to continue to expand her product line, but that dream was cut short when her condition worsened. Many of her patterns can still be seen at www.hunibears.com.
Amy was preceded in death by her sister Jana Izatt Simmons (also from Cancer), and is survived by her brother Jared Izatt. She had just turned 41 and was one week away from celebrating her 21st wedding anniversary. At Amy’s request, she will be cremated and her ashes will be scattered into Lake Michigan near the Mackinac Bridge in northern Michigan by her husband and children.
An informal memorial reception will be held in Idaho Falls, Idaho at “The Sickhouse” on Saturday, March 28th from 6pm – 9pm. A short celebration of life presentation will be made at 7pm. No religious services will be provided and there will be no formal program. Come and go as you please. Stay as long as you want. Light appetizers and drinks will be readily available and a bartender will be on hand for those of us that prefer something a little stronger. The Sickhouse is located at 110 Science Center Drive, Idaho Falls, ID 83402.
NOTE: In lieu of flowers, Amy specifically requested that you make a financial donation to support cancer research. A gofundme page has been setup here to explain in more detail: http://www.gofundme.com/GoTeamAmy
For her Arizona based friends, a celebration in her honor will be held at the residence at a date and time to be determined.