Ирочка Шехец - История светлой, необыкновенной жизни.
Irina Shekhets was born in Kiev, Ukraine on August 24th, 1980. At an early age she exhibited a love of reading and a talent for writing, especially poetry.
With her family, Irina immigrated to the United States in 1989. The family lived first two years in Brooklyn, NY where Irina started her second grade. In two months she was reevaluated and transferred to the third grade.
In two years Shekhets' family settled in Fair Lawn, NJ where Irina attended Fair Lawn High School, graduating as a valedictorian.
During her high school years Irina pursued her love of poetry by writing for the school Literary Journal Scarlett Letters, and serving as journal’s editor. Likewise she participated in various other activities such as Math League and National Honor Society. She was an varsity player of the school fencing team and participated in multiple state-wide competitions.
Upon graduating from Fair Lawn High School Irina attended Columbia University (1998-2002) where she double-majored in Economics and Computer Science.
At Columbia, Irina was an active member of the ballroom dance team and the Russian American Association. She graduated at the top of her class. Irina chose Columbia not only for its excellent academic credentials, but also because she wanted to pursue her studies close to her family.
Upon starting college Irina was awarded a spot in the prestigious J.P. Morgan Scholar Program and after graduation, Irina joined J.P. Morgan-Chase where she was an Associate Vice President in the Competitive Intelligence Department.
At the age of 23 after an inspirational trip to Israel, Irina trained with Ezra Organization towards becoming a madricha.
She also took time off from her J.P. Morgan career to volunteer for the Anti-Defamation League where she did research on constitutional issues.
Irina married Guy Beider in May 2006. They met at a mutual friend’s wedding in 2004 while Guy was living in Israel. They amicably separated in June 2010.
Irina attended Brooklyn Law School (2006-2010), earning her JD degree while continuing to work full time. At Brooklyn Law she served as Associate Managing Editor of the Brooklyn Journal of International Law.
She passed the bar exam in late July of 2010.
Irina was and IS a shining soul, brilliant, beautiful, vibrant, thoughtful and insightful person. She has touched many lives in the deepest and most wonderful ways. Her guidance, insightfulness, and her brilliant presence could heal and give hope and joy to many people.
Possessing the inquisitiveness of a young child, Irina always asked questions about anything and everything. Irina welcomed everyone with open arms. She had the incredible ability to find and focus on the positive aspect of any situation, no matter the circumstances.
She could always bring humor to any occasion with a smile and a witty, insightful remark. Irina has made a lot of true friends on every step of her inspiring life journey, valued and kept each one of them as the biggest life treasure.
After separating from her husband, Irina planned a spiritual trip to Nepal. The trip involved 14 days/180 miles trekking to the base camp of Mount Everest, where she was hoping to do some soul searching and begin a new chapter in her life.
Irina tragically perished in an airplane crash in Nepal among with 13 other passengers and 3 crew members, on August 24, 2010 on her 30th birthday.
Cherished daughter of Boris and Tatyana Shekhets, wife of Guy Beider, beloved little sister of Marianna Shamis and her husband Felix, dear niece of Helena Shekhets and her husband Alexander Vizlakh, dear aunt of Anna and Tiana Shamis, dear cousin of Benjamin and Breanna Vizlakh she will always be remembered and loved by all who knew her.