Shana Ivey Tesler

Shana Ivey Tesler, daughter, sister, mother to Devin and Ethan, and friend to many, passed away in Prescott, Arizona on May 1, 2021 after a lifetime of struggle navigating mental health. Friendly, compassionate, and loving, Shana deeply treasured her relationships with family and friends, even when not living near them. Shana may be gone from our sight, but she will forever be in our hearts. 

Shana was born in Atlanta, Georgia on March 21, 1978. She graduated from Brookwood High School with honors, and played defense on the Bronco High School Soccer Team. Awarded with athletic scholarship, she attended Young Harris College and played on the Women’s Mountain Lions Soccer Team. She later transferred to the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia where she was a member of the Delta Delta Delta Sorority. Shana is survived by her children, Devin Shaffner and Ethan Van Marter of Crested Butte, Colorado; her father Kenneth Tesler of Atlanta, Georgia; her mother Terri Tesler Lewis and stepfather Norman Lewis of Loganville, Georgia; her sister Jennifer Tesler and brother-in-law  Michael Boyd of Athens, Georgia and nephews Sidney, Benjamin and Kenneth. 

It is our family’s hope that Shana’s memory be a blessing. May the stigmas attached to mental health and addiction related illnesses begin to fade through honest conversations in reflection of her life and may others who struggle similarly find the strength to seek the support that they will need. She will be inurned at Arlington Cemetery in Atlanta in a private family service at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, Shana’s family asks that donations be made to Project HEAL.