Aurelie Sheehan, Acclaimed Author and University of Arizona Professor Dies After Cancer Battle
Aurelie Sheehan, an acclaimed author, and professor at the University of Arizona, passed away on August 3, 2023, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was 56 years old.
Sheehan was born in Tucson, Arizona, and earned her B.A. from Hampshire College and her M.A. from The City College of the City University of New York. She was the author of three short story collections, “Demigods on Speedway” (University of Arizona Press, 2014), “Jewelry Box: A Collection of Histories” (BOA Editions, Ltd., 2013), and “Jack Kerouac Is Pregnant” (Dalkey Archive Press, 1994). Her work has also been featured in numerous literary magazines and anthologies, and she has received numerous awards and honors, including the Pushcart Prize, the Jack Kerouac Literary Award, and the Camargo Fellowship.
Sheehan was a beloved teacher and mentor to her students, and she was passionate about literature and teaching. She was also actively involved in the Tucson literary community, and she served on the board of directors of the University of Arizona Poetry Center.
Sheehan is survived by her husband, Reed Karaim, a writer, and journalist; her son, Arion; and her daughter, Calliope.
A celebration of life for Aurelie Sheehan will be held on Saturday, August 13, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at the University of Arizona Poetry Center. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the University of Arizona Poetry Center or the American Cancer Society.