Candace (Cunha) Schaefer Obituary (1985 - 2024)

Candace K. (Cunha) Schaefer received her wings on February 22, 2024 following her 7-year battle with cancer. Candi was born in New Bedford, MA on October 11th, 1985, then her family moved to Loudon, NH. She graduated from Merrimack Valley High School in 2003, and continued her education at St. Anslem's College, earning a Bachelor's degree in political science in 2007. Her career in politics began with Congressman Paul Hodes and then Senator Jeanne Shaheen where she became the Director of Constituent Services. Her passion for physical fitness started 20 years ago when she started taking Jazzercise classes and then became an instructor. Her continued passion for fitness and helping others, she fearlessly opened her own studio in 2019, Thrive Group Fitness in Concord, NH. Her dream studio flourished earning her several recognitions for Best Fitness Studio in the greater Concord area. Despite her continued battle with cancer, Candi continued motivating those around her by doing Breast Cancer awareness events and raising money for cancer research. As an outlet, she created a blog "A Beautiful Mess - Thriving through life with Cancer" https://beautifulmess32.wordpress.com to share her experience not only for her own healing process but to help others going through the same process. Candi's biggest passion was her family. Marrying the love of her life, husband Fred in 2008 and welcoming their beautiful daughter, Lydia in 2010. When she was enjoying life with her family and friend, she was truly at her happiest. She will forever be in the hearts of her mother and step-father, Kelsy & Jared King; her father and step-mother, Paul & Bernie Cunha; her siblings, Jay & Celeste; her mother/father-in-law, Karen Schaefer & Rich Bittle; her sister/brother-in-law, Cassie & Scott McVey and her brother-in-law, Ritchie Bittle. She will forever be an inspiration to her Thrive Group Fitness family and all her friends and family who supported her. Our family would like to thank all the doctors & nurses at Dana Farber and Brigham & Women's Hospital for all their exceptional care through this 7-year journey. Please join us in celebrating the life of Candace at Roan Family Funeral Home in Pembroke for calling hours on Friday, March 1, 2024 from 5pm to 7pm. A graveside service will take place at Calvary Cemetery, N Main St. Concord, on Saturday, March 2, 2024 at 10am. In lieu of flowers, we encourage donations to Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA in recognition of Dr. Martha Wadleigh and her team. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.roanfamilyfuneral.com