Amanda Kay Karduck, age 42, of Sagamore Hills, passed away peacefully on June 26, 2024, with her family and close friends by her side. Born to Thomas J. and Lana K. (nee Galbreath), Amanda lived the majority of her life in the Nordonia community. She is survived by her parents, sister Tana K., brother Jeff D., niece Ava Wolfe, aunts, uncles, cousins, and a large contingency of friends who were lucky enough to have known her.

It's impossible to sum up an extraordinary life in a few short words, and Amanda's life was truly extraordinary. Throughout her academic career, she earned honors in every possible way, including graduating at the top of her class from Nordonia High School in 2000, and receiving the Akron Beacon Journal Star Student Award and Cleveland Plain Dealer Award of Excellence. She continued her academic distinctions at Eastern Michigan University where she earned a bachelor's of communication in 2004 and in 2021 completed a master's degree in public safety leadership and administration (executive fire administration) from Arizona State University.

Amanda's athleticism was beyond comparison. She earned 12 varsity letters at Nordonia High School in soccer, basketball, softball and track, while maintaining the highest GPA on each team. She received all-conference honors in basketball in addition to her academic awards, and these qualifications led to her induction into the Nordonia High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2014. Amanda's competitive spirit carried over to her time at Eastern Michigan University, where she was a founding member of the women's Division I rowing team and earned three letters from 2001-2005. Described as a dedicated rower and dependable teammate, she desired and encouraged greatness from every member of her team. She received the Most Improved Award in 2004.

Following an EMT course in 2004, Amanda developed a passion for the firefighting/EMT profession and went on to complete her fire and paramedic certifications. She joined the Northfield Center Fire Department part time in 2006, and later went on to make history as the first female firefighter in the City of Painesville in 2008, rising to the rank of Lieutenant before her retirement. During her career she received two Life-Saving Awards (2011, 2018), Firefighter of the Year (2014), a Unit Citation (2017), and an Exemplary Service Award (2018). Amanda opened doors for other women who aspire to join the fire service, and she touched innumerable lives during her career.

Throughout her life, Amanda's compassion, bravery, kindness, and fierce loyalty were unmatched. When she wasn't fighting fires, Amanda enjoyed spending time in the national parks, hiking and kayaking with her pups Roxy and Shirley, and watching Cleveland sports teams alongside her family and friends.  She will be missed tremendously. Amanda's legacy of bravery, commitment, and unconditional love will live on well past her 42 years, carried by those who were lucky enough to receive the gift of her friendship.

Private funeral services will be held with burial in Northfield Macedonia Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Amanda's name to the National Park Trust, Eastern Michigan University Women's Rowing Team, or the Gary Sinese Foundation.

National Park Trust
401 East Jefferson Street, Suite 207, Rockville MD 20850
Web: https://parktrust.app.neoncrm.com/forms/parktrust2022w

Eastern Michigan University Women's Rowing Team
112 Welch Hall, PO Box 972057, Ypsilanti MI 48197
Web: https://www.emich.edu/foundation/give/?fund=01087&path=wrow

Gary Sinese Foundation
P.O. Box 368, Woodland Hills CA 91365
Web: https://donate.garysinisefoundation.org/campaign/day-of-giving-2024/c586633