It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our precious Daughter, Sister, Aunt, Coach and friend to so many. Shana Danell Grant-Kolek passed away tragically in a house fire at her Santa Paula residence, most likely due to smoke inhalation, with no trauma to her body, on March 7th 2015 at 45 years of age.
Shana was born on December 5th, 1969 at Santa Paula Hospital to Becky and Eddie Grant. She spent her youth in Ojai, CA where she attended Topa Topa Elementary School, Matilija Middle School and Nordhoff High School. She was a lively child, loved not only by her friends, but the friends of her siblings, being called everyone’s baby sister. Shana moved to her Duplex on Mill St in Santa Paula in 2001 and lived there for the remainder of her life.
She had many jobs including working for Delta Liquid Energy and AmeriGas. She also worked for family friends at Mary B’s, a job she truly enjoyed, with people she truly loved. Her most beloved work however, was the work she did with Santa Paula Youth Cheer. Shana joined SPYC as a coach to her nieces’ squad in 2004. She went on to be Cheer Director from 2004 to 2009, taking them to win several titles at regional and national competitions, including their first National Championship in 2009. She spent countless hours with the young ladies of the community and loved all of her cheer girls very much.
Shana had a big heart and loved everyone unconditionally. She was a truly beautiful person inside and out. She loved her nieces as her own and never missed an opportunity to love, support or encourage them. She was a savior to anyone who needed her and loved nothing more than helping others find their happiness. Shana was a big part of so many people’s lives and her wonderful heart will be deeply missed by the many people she touched during her beautiful life.
Shana is preceded in death by her loving father, Eddie Grant and her grandparents.
She is survived by her Mother, Rebecca “Becky” Gran” older Brother, Charlie Grant; Sister, Tammy Berg; Sister-in-law, Tisa Grant; Brother-in-law, Gary Berg; and Nieces, Alyssa Grant, Hannah Grant-Tolley, Hayley Berg and Lindsey Grant.
A memorial service for Shana will be held Saturday, March 28th at 11 a.m. at Catalyst Church, 241 North Mill Street in Santa Paula, immediately followed by a celebration of her life. Her family has requested that those in attendance at her service bring a copy of their favorite picture with Shana to be added to memory books. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the “Shana Grant-Kolek Memorial Fund” via GoFundMe.com, www.gofundme.com/oags7w for memorial expenses. Her family will be donating remaining funds to Santa Paula Youth Cheer in her name.
