By trevor davis
News Reporter
A University student who died Feb. 11 is being remembered as a bright and cheerful person who put others before herself.
Stacey Axling, who went to high school at North Eugene, died in her sleep from complications of diabetes. She worked at the Hamilton Complex front desk as a residence hall supervisor. Axling was known for her involvement in music and choir in high school, and on her MySpace profile, she said she wanted to work with kids as a teacher or counselor.
On the social networking Web site Facebook, friends and co-workers are posting memories of Axling.
University graduate student Michael Miceli met Axling when he arrived on campus as an undergraduate from California. He said he remembers telling his mom on the phone that he wanted to return home to the Bay Area because he didn’t like the University.
“Right after I got off the phone, I saw this beautiful, blond girl coming around the corner, and I thought, ‘Maybe I’ll like it here,’” Miceli said.
He said he and Axling became best friends and dated for four years.
“She had a zest for life,” Miceli said. He added that she always put a smile on his face.
Other friends and co-workers had similar stories about Axling.
University senior Maiko Nakai said Axling helped her on the job at the Hamilton front desk when Nakai started working there. Nakai added that Axling would often sing country music at the desk.
“She made things so fun,” she said. “I will miss her smile and bright and cheerful voice.”
University senior Iris Lee, who also worked at the Hamilton front desk, said that Axling made her laugh and smile. Lee added that Axling always got to know co-workers on a personal level.
“She was probably the most caring person I’ve ever met,” Lee said. “She would go out of her way to get to know anybody.”
University junior Shannon Esperanza came to know Axling at North Eugene High School on a choir trip.
“Even when I was sad, she would always try to cheer me up,” Esperanza said. “She was always happy about everything. She was probably the best friend you could ever have.”
Her death came as a shock to friends and co-workers.
“I cried a lot,” Nakai said. “It was way too sudden.”
As of Sunday evening, some 129 people have joined a Facebook group called “Stacey Axling is Loved,” and her Facebook and MySpace profiles have served as guestbooks for family members and friends to post their memories of Axling.
“She taught me so much about myself in so little time,” one post read. “I am a better person to have known her.”
Lee said the Facebook group has helped her during the grieving process.
“I think it’s neat to see how many people she knew, and see and tell stories,” Lee said. “You realize that she will be missed and nobody will forget her easily.”
A memorial service was held last week.
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