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Amber McCracken
Amber McCracken
Amber McCracken
Amber McCracken
Amber McCracken
Amber McCracken

Obituary of Amber Dawn McCracken

Life Story:

 

Amber Dawn McCracken passed from this life on October 14, 2020, in Las Vegas, NV. She was forty-four years old. Growing up, she was a military brat, as her dad was in the USAF. By the time she was sixteen, Amber had lived in Virginia, Japan, California, Washington, Arizona, Germany, and California again, finally settling with her family in Nevada. 

 

Amber was a beloved daughter to Michael W. and Debra McCracken. She was sister to Marisa L. (Hinton), Adam W., Darin P., and Megan C. (Tirey). Amber was Mom to Zoe M. McCracken and Quinn M. McCracken. She was fiance to Chris Kelly. Amber was also an aunt, cousin, and friend to many.

 

After high school, Amber attended the International Academy of Design and Technology where she received her degree in Fashion Design in 2008. She was bright and creative, working for several years in fashion merchandising and retail stores. From head to toe, Amber was a true fashionista. She put up with a lot of good-natured family ribbing throughout the years—the bright colors, the faux furs and hats and purses, the many rings and wild earrings, the makeup, and last but not least, the ever-evolving eyebrows. We were alternately amused and dismayed at the amount of time it took her to get up, ready, and out the door in the morning. Some things never change!

 

Even when breast cancer hit and her chemotherapy caused hair loss, she made it into a fashion statement with a rockin’ collection of wigs, turbans, and hats. Oh, the hats! Even from her hospital bed, she sparkled—right up to her last few minutes, commenting on her drab hospital gowns and her lack of strength to apply full makeup and dangley earrings that were her trademark. As a principal part of her deep love of fashion, Amber designed and sewed for herself and others. And man, could she sew. Modifying vintage clothing was a particular interest of Amber’s. She was an exceptional seamstress.

 

Amber had other talents and interests. She was a lover of music—playing guitar, singing/ writing songs, and attending many concerts and shows. She enjoyed the Smith Center and Jazz Cabaret. We called her the “Karaoke Goddess.” Amber was also a huge sports fan—the New Orleans Saints (thanks to her fiance!), the Golden Knights, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Las Vegas Aviators. She attended many sporting events over the years with family and friends. She and her siblings even bought a legacy brick honoring their dad when the new Aviator’s stadium was built. Amber was also active in the PTO at Ober Elementary School when her children were younger, helping with school events and sewing costumes for musical productions. 

 

Amber loved her family. It’s been said that she never met a stranger. She was well-known in the family for reaching out, not only to those family members she was close to but also to those she wasn’t, wanting to feel connected to everyone and for everyone to feel connected. Amber also loved Starbucks and her green tea, astrology, Tropical Smoothies, and last but not least sour cream EVERYTHING.

 

Amber also loved Chris, deeply. They were together for nine years. Amber was diagnosed with her breast cancer at the very beginning of their relationship. He was there with her through her initial surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, and her many subsequent reconstructive surgeries. They did enjoy a few years of medical respite. But with the second diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer, multiple shoulder surgeries, more chemo, and many hospitalizations, Amber’s physical abilities were diminished, and Chris was still there through it all, which profoundly speaks to his character. She loved him so much for sticking with her to the end. 

 

Amber was a battler. She was a defender of her siblings and her children. She was a free spirit and a force of nature. Her tenacity helped her learn how to live with the reality of metastatic breast cancer as she attempted to live her best life, right up to the end. 

 

We will all miss her terribly. And yet, we are blessed to have known her. We know that we will be together again someday, a day when our sorrows will be swallowed up in joy, and there will be no more tears.

 

A memorial celebration of Amber’s life will be held on Friday, October 30 at 2 pm. It will be held in the cultural hall at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 2555 North Jones Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89108-3738 (cross streets are Jones and Smoke Ranch). Because of the pandemic, we ask all guidelines to be followed. We will arrange the space for social distancing and ask that masks be worn upon entering the building.