Meisha Melanie Stoffregen, (nèe Werley), fabulous foodie, rum cocktail connoisseur, half-marathon runner, retired raver and eternal space princess, left this mortal realm for the great tiki bar in the sky on December 19th, 2020 at the age of 43.

Meisha was born in Pennsylvania, June 29th, 1977, to parents Marissa and Peter. She and her mom relocated to Florida in the late ‘80s, where she went to high school in Venice, FL. She later moved to Bradenton, where she attended Manatee Community College. She spent her early college years working at Blockbuster Video, writing for the school paper The Lancer and dancing up a storm on Monday nights at Kanega.

After earning her associate’s degree in communications from MCC, she attended the University of Florida where she completed her studies with a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations. While at UF, she actively participated in the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), co-wrote horoscopes for the Independent Alligator, interned at the United Way, and adjusted her dancing nights to Thursdays at the Down-Lo.

After graduation she settled down in Jacksonville, FL, to begin her professional career at the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce. It was here that she bought a house, got married, became a Relay for Life volunteer with the American Cancer Society, made many new life-long friends, got divorced, became a CrossFit champion, got married again, discovered and often shared all the great places to eat and drink in Duval and eventually put her PR degree to work as the Web Producer for Ascension St. Vincent’s Jacksonville. Her outgoing personality and vivacious character instantly endeared her to so many, as did her sweet dance moves on the light-up floor at Art Bar.

If you knew her well, or caught her in a story-telling mood, you were privy to the SAAB stories that inspired that griffon tattoo on the back of her neck, wild tales of a Bahamas cruise adventure in her 20s and the often-embellished memories of old-school raver nights. She had a host of catchphrases ranging from “Shenanigans!” to “Murder!,” snorted when she laughed and loved a good inside reference to past good times.

She was known for her friendly and sparkling personality, insider knowledge of the all the new foodie spots in town, a flair for tropical print dresses, iconic blunt cut bangs, a true zest for life and a love of all things tiki. She often contributed to Atomic Planet Magazine, and attended The Hukilau conventions in Fort Lauderdale, FL. She briefly took up snowboarding on a trip to Utah, and after one day decided to sell her board and spend the rest of the vacation drinking and building snowmen. Hence, she was not known for her snowboarding.

Meisha lived a life full of friends, food, music, laughter, triumphs, travel and craft cocktails. She was taken from us much too soon, but she left behind a legacy of stories and adventures with friends far and wide. She was loved by many, and if anything, taught us all sometimes you can trust a big butt and smile.

She is survived by her brother Phil, aunts, uncles, cousins and godsons Michael and Keelan. She is predeceased by her mother, father, cat Roxy, dogs Mongo, Monty, Murphy, Margie and love bird Tito.

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As a tribute to her memory her friends and family have placed a memorial bench in Johansen Park in Atlantic Beach, FL.