Carmien Funnell-Shaffner

Carmien "Miena" BJ Funnell-Shaffner, beloved sister to Dale William, dutiful mother to Adelaide Johanna, and loving wife to Domineck Travis Shaffner, died unexpectedly on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015. She was 35 years old. She was preceded in death by her father, Roy Funnell, on Jan. 17, 2012.

Born and raised in Denver, Carmien graduated from George Washington High School in 1998. She attended Metropolitan State University in Denver in 2001. In 2002, she met Domineck Travis Shaffner, who would become her partner of 13 years. Carmien gave birth to their daughter, Adelaide Johanna ("Addie"), on Dec. 28, 2003. Carmien and Travis were married on Sept. 29, 2012.

A dedicated worker, Carmien began a career in the restaurant industry as a teenager in 1996. She became the youngest manager in Colorado for the Fazoli's Italian restaurant chain, and went on to manage several restaurants in the CiCi's Pizza franchise the Denver area. Just prior to her death, she was working to expand her career outside of restaurants as a bookkeeper for a local business.

Like her father, Carmien was science fiction and fantasy fan and grew up attending Denver's annual Starfest convention, a tradition she continued with her own family. Carmien hand-made costumes for Addie to wear for Halloween, the Renaissance Faire and the annual Starfest costume contests.

Above all else, Carmien was a selfless caretaker, for her family, her friends and her daughter, who was the light of her life. She loved cooking new recipes for her family and posting the results on social media. She supported Addie in all she did, whether it was an academic pursuit or during her years with the Denver Broncos Junior Cheerleaders. She made great sacrifices to give Addie everything she could, and even opened her home and her heart to other children whose parents could not care for them. She lovingly nursed her father through his battle with lymphoma. She gave of herself ceaselessly, even when she had little to give.

The family will miss her flair for sarcastic humor, her strength in the face of adversity, and her seemingly endless stores of love, support and care.

A service in celebration of Carmien's life will be held at 4pm Nov. 7 at Hotcakes Diner, 1400 E. 18th Avenue in Denver.

Donations may be made in Carmien's honor to the Rocky Mountain Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.