1971-Alicia Kunerth-2018
Alicia Sky (Varinaitis) Kunerth passed away peacefully at her home in Malibu, California on August, 30th at the age of 47, following her 16-year journey with brain cancer.
Sky was born June 20, 1971 in Van Nuys, California. Following graduation from James Monroe High School, she attended UCLA where she received a degree in Psychology. She started her career in the entertainment industry at the talent agency, CAA, before working for Walt Disney Television.
In 1997, she met her husband, while the two worked as writers’ assistants on the TV show “Friends.” Sky was an incredibly talented writer and went on to write for several TV sitcoms, animated series and feature film projects.
Sky was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer while seven months pregnant with their daughter, Ashlyn. After her first brain surgery in 2002, Sky was given a prognosis of 18 months to live. Defying all medical expectations, she lived, and lived fully for more than sixteen years, fighting her way back from three brain surgeries, 80 rounds of chemotherapy, two rounds of radiation, and countless hospital stays.
Sky had an incredible sense of humor, a radiant smile, an infectious laugh, an indomitable spirit, and an undeniable and fierce love for her family and enormous circle of friends. She was an active member of the Malibu community, serving on the board of the Malibu Labor Exchange, volunteering her time to organize school events and fundraisers, and was a strong voice in the PTA. Despite her many medical ups and downs, Sky also cherished the role of enthusiastic mentor for a long list of friends, family and strangers who were on their own cancer journey.
But above all, Sky was a loving wife and adoring mom. She lived life to the fullest, traveling extensively, seeking the next grand adventure. She cherished family time and traditions: Christmas mornings, holiday dinners, and waking up early to see the sunrise over the ocean on Thanksgiving morning. She loved meals with friends, was an avid reader, and had a faith that was of great comfort to her.
She is preceded in death by her grandparents and father, John Varinaitis. She is survived by Mark, her husband of 18 years, and daughter, Ashlyn. She is also survived by her stepmother, Barbara Varinaitis, mom, Mary Miles, brother Mike Varinaitis, and Joe Bratcher and Judy Farrell.
A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, September 15th at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Malibu Catholic Church. There will be a Celebration of Life at Malibu Wines on Sunday, September 16th from 1-5p.m: 31727 Mulholland Highway, Malibu, CA.
