Carol Megan Sliwinski

Megan Sliwinski, age 42, went home to be with Jesus on February 15, 2023, under hospice care at Lawlis Family Hospice in Mequon, WI, —with her husband by her side— following a six-year battle with glioblastoma (cancer of the brain).

Megan was born October 25, 1980, on the far northwest side of Chicago, IL, to the late Robert and late Carol (née Neff) Daugherty. In 1992, a few years after her father’s death, Megan and her mother moved to the Milwaukee area. After many years of being involved with the theater program at Dominican High School in Whitefish Bay, WI, Megan would go on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from Marquette University in 2004.

During her college years she worked at a local Starbucks and attended The Gathering at Ridgewood Church. It was there that she committed her life to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It was also at this time that Megan met the love of her life and future husband, Robert “Bob” Sliwinski, who couldn’t help but be charmed by the sweet barista behind the counter. Each of them were baptized at Ridgewood and were later married at the same church on September 5, 2004. Settling in Bob’s former childhood home in Brookfield, the couple welcomed three children into their lives: Noah in 2008, Isaac in 2011, and Lilia in 2012. Being their mother was one of Megan’s greatest joys. She chose to leave her career and start a new one by staying at home with the children and raising them to know the love of God.

Over her life, Megan held various work positions, including roles at Diggers Hotline, YMCA, Starbucks, Milwaukee Center for Independence, and Batteries Plus. When all three kids were old enough to go to school, Megan continued showing love to children by becoming a nanny for her infant great-niece, Quinn (given a middle name of Megan in tribute). This gave her a renewed sense of purpose shortly after her original diagnosis.

Megan’s greatest passions included being a wife and mother, theater, children and youth ministries, gardening, camping, arts and crafts projects, party and event planning, Mexican and Indian food, sangria, and—of course—coffee. She also loved supporting her children and their activities. Constantly shuttling them around, she would jokingly refer to herself as “Muber” a.k.a. Mom-Uber. ]

Megan welcomed everyone she encountered with a smile. Those who were fortunate enough to have her in their lives knew her to be smart, loving, kind, generous, gentle, thoughtful, prayerful, family-oriented, fiercely loyal, and big-hearted. She also had a reputation of being responsible, organized, and detail-oriented. Those in her innermost circle witnessed her bubbly, silly side, and were privy to her goofy sense of humor.

In addition to her husband and children, Megan is survived by her half-siblings: Robert (Anthea), Kathleen, and Michael (Micaela) Daugherty, and Donald and Michael Sturtz; her mother-in-law, Elizabeth (Ron) Rizzs; her sister-in-law, Christine (Mike) Haar; many nieces and nephews, including Robert (Kristen) Daugherty, who was raised much like a little brother to her; and countless dear friends.

Megan’s remains are being cremated, and a celebration of life will take place Saturday, February 25, 2023, at Ridgewood Church at 2720 Lilly Rd in Brookfield, WI. Friends and family are welcome to begin gathering at 1pm for an open house, with a more formal program of sharing and celebrating Megan to start at 2:30 pm. Appetizers and desserts will be served throughout.