Stacey Renee Shay, a longtime resident of Meadville, Pennsylvania, has died at the age of 42 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Shay passed away peacefully at Marquette Hospice House on August 9, 2026, surrounded by the care and support associated with the final stage of her illness. Her death has left family members, friends and others who knew her reflecting on a life characterized by determination, humor, athletic ability and a strong commitment to the people and animals she loved.

Born and raised in Meadville, Stacey developed a competitive spirit early in life. She became a standout multi-sport athlete during her years at Meadville High School, competing in basketball, softball, wrestling and soccer.

Her interests extended well beyond athletics. She pursued higher education at Edinboro University, built a career in in-home healthcare and remained closely connected to her family, friends, pets and the interests that brought her happiness.

Early Life in Meadville

Stacey was born on October 27, 1983, in Meadville, Pennsylvania.

She was the daughter of Robert J. Shay Jr. and the late Darla (Gamble) Shay, and spent her formative years in Crawford County.

Growing up in the Meadville area, Stacey developed the relationships and interests that would remain important throughout her life. Her years in the community helped shape the strong connections she maintained with family and friends.

Those who knew her will remember not only the different roles she held as an adult but also the personality and enthusiasm she carried with her from childhood.

A Standout Multi-Sport Athlete

Athletics played a significant role in Stacey’s younger years.

While attending Meadville High School, she competed in a remarkable range of sports, including basketball, softball, wrestling and soccer.

Participating successfully across several sports reflected both her athletic ability and her willingness to challenge herself.

For Stacey, sports were more than an extracurricular activity. Her competitive nature became part of her identity and contributed to the energetic personality remembered by those closest to her.

After graduating from high school, she continued her education at Edinboro University.

Her love of sports remained with her long after her competitive years. Among her strongest sports loyalties was her devotion to the Pittsburgh Steelers, whom she supported as a lifelong, die-hard fan.

A Career Focused on Helping Others

Stacey eventually directed much of her energy toward a career centered on caring for people.

She worked in the in-home healthcare field for Sunny Days, a role that allowed her to provide support to others in their daily lives.

Her professional work reflected a compassionate side of her personality that was also evident in her relationships outside the workplace.

Working in healthcare requires patience, responsibility and a willingness to put the needs of others first. Those qualities became part of the legacy Stacey leaves behind.

Her family and friends remember her not only for her outgoing personality and athletic background but also for the care she showed toward the people and beings who depended on her.

A Love of Family, Holidays and the Outdoors

Away from work, Stacey found happiness in everyday experiences.

She enjoyed spending time outdoors, going shopping and celebrating holidays with the people she loved.

Two holidays held a particularly special place in her heart: Halloween and Christmas.

Her enthusiasm for these occasions reflected the joyful side of her personality. Holidays often provide opportunities for families and friends to spend time together, create traditions and share memories, and those experiences were meaningful to Stacey.

She also enjoyed the companionship of animals and formed especially close bonds with her pets.

Her Beloved Animals

Animals were an important part of Stacey’s life.

Among her cherished pets were her dogs, Apollo, Topaz and Ravyn, as well as her beloved ferret, Domino.

Her relationship with her pets reflected the affection and loyalty she brought to the people and animals around her.

She also carried the memory of another beloved ferret, Carmella, who preceded her in death.

For Stacey, pets were not simply animals in the household. They were companions and members of the family, providing another source of happiness and comfort throughout her life.

Battle With Pancreatic Cancer

Stacey’s final chapter was shaped by her battle with pancreatic cancer.

She faced the illness with the support of her family and medical professionals before ultimately passing away peacefully at Marquette Hospice House on August 9, 2026.

Her family has expressed gratitude to the medical teams who cared for her throughout her illness, including professionals at the Yolanda G. Barco Oncology Institute and Fox Chase Cancer Center.

Special appreciation was also extended to Dr. Igor Astaturov for his care.

Her family additionally recognized the staff at Marquette Hospice House, where Stacey received care during the final stage of her illness.

The acknowledgments reflect the important role that medical professionals played in caring for Stacey and supporting her loved ones during a difficult period.

Family Members She Leaves Behind

Stacey’s family remains at the center of her legacy.

She is survived by her son, Payton Shay, and his partner, Heather, of Meadville.

She was also a grandmother to Payton Jr. and Praxton, whom she adored.

Stacey is survived by her father, Bob Shay, as well as her brother, Robbie Shay, and his partner, Stephanie, of Saegertown.

Her nieces and nephews include RJ, Keegan, Victoria and Haley.

These family relationships represent an important part of the life Stacey built and the legacy she leaves behind.

For her relatives, memories of Stacey will extend beyond the circumstances of her illness and death. They will include the years of family experiences, celebrations, conversations and everyday moments that shaped their lives together.

Family Members and Loved Ones She Predeceased

Stacey was preceded in death by several people and a beloved pet who had been important parts of her life.

They include her mother, Darla Shay, her stepfather, Jack Lackey, and her godfather, Dom Mottillo.

She was also preceded in death by her beloved ferret, Carmella.

Their absence formed part of Stacey’s own life story, just as her memory will now become part of the story carried forward by the people she leaves behind.

A Life Defined by Determination

Several themes stand out in the life Stacey leaves behind: athleticism, compassion, family and determination.

Her multi-sport background demonstrated her competitive spirit from a young age.

Her career in in-home healthcare reflected her willingness to care for others.

Her devotion to her son, grandchildren, father, brother, nieces and nephews showed the central role family played in her life.

And her battle with pancreatic cancer became another demonstration of the strength and determination remembered by those who supported her.

Together, these parts of her life create a picture of someone whose identity was shaped by both energy and compassion.

A Celebration of Life Will Be Held

A formal Celebration of Life for Stacey is planned for a later date.

The family has not provided a specific date or location in the information available.

The future gathering will give relatives, friends and others who knew Stacey an opportunity to come together and honor her memory.

A Celebration of Life can also provide an opportunity to remember the parts of someone’s story that cannot be fully captured in an obituary—the humor, personality, shared experiences and everyday moments that made the person unique.

For Stacey’s loved ones, such a gathering will offer a chance to celebrate those memories while supporting one another.

Gratitude to Stacey’s Care Teams

Stacey’s family has expressed its appreciation to the healthcare professionals who cared for her during her illness.

Acknowledgments were directed to the staff at the Yolanda G. Barco Oncology Institute, as well as the team at Fox Chase Cancer Center.

The family specifically expressed gratitude to Dr. Igor Astaturov for his role in Stacey’s care.

They also recognized the staff at Marquette Hospice House, where Stacey spent her final days.

Hospice care can provide comfort and support not only to patients but also to families navigating an extraordinarily difficult period. The family’s acknowledgment recognizes the care Stacey received as she faced the final stage of her illness.

Remembering Stacey Renee Shay

For those who knew Stacey Renee Shay, her memory will encompass far more than her battle with cancer.

She was an athlete who competed in four sports at Meadville High School.

She was a devoted Pittsburgh Steelers fan.

She was a healthcare worker who dedicated herself to helping others.

She was a mother and grandmother who cherished her family.

She was a daughter, sister, aunt, friend and pet owner whose relationships brought meaning and happiness to her life.

She was also someone who enjoyed the outdoors, shopping and the excitement of Halloween and Christmas.

Those details provide a more complete picture of Stacey than the circumstances of her death alone.

A Legacy of Love and Service

Stacey’s legacy will continue through the people and animals she loved and the memories she created with them.

Her family will remember the woman behind the roles of mother, daughter, sister and grandmother.

Those who knew her through work will remember her commitment to in-home healthcare and helping others.

Friends will remember her personality, enthusiasm and passion for the interests she enjoyed.

And the people who shared her love of sports may remember the competitive athlete and devoted Steelers fan she remained throughout her life.

Her impact was therefore personal as well as professional.

Final Tribute to Stacey Shay

Stacey Renee Shay, 42, died peacefully at Marquette Hospice House on August 9, 2026, following her battle with pancreatic cancer.

Born in Meadville on October 27, 1983, she grew into a talented multi-sport athlete, compassionate healthcare worker and devoted member of her family.

She leaves behind her son Payton Shay, daughter-in-law/partner Heather, grandchildren Payton Jr. and Praxton, father Bob Shay, brother Robbie Shay and his partner Stephanie, as well as nieces and nephews RJ, Keegan, Victoria and Haley.

She was preceded in death by her mother Darla Shay, stepfather Jack Lackey, godfather Dom Mottillo, and beloved ferret Carmella.

Her family has expressed gratitude to the medical professionals who cared for her at the Yolanda G. Barco Oncology Institute, Fox Chase Cancer Center, and Marquette Hospice House, with special thanks to Dr. Igor Astaturov.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Stacey’s life was marked by a fierce love for family, a passion for sports, compassion for others and an enthusiasm for the simple experiences that brought her happiness. Those qualities will remain part of the memories shared by everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.

Stacey Renee Shay will be remembered not only for the challenges she faced, but for the love, energy, determination and kindness she brought to the people and animals who mattered most to her.