Beloved Wife and Acclaimed Author Aurelie Sheehan Passes Away at Age 58
The literary world lost a talented voice with the recent passing of Aurelie Sheehan at age 58. Sheehan was a professor of English at the University of Arizona in Tucson and an acclaimed author of short stories and novels. Her husband Reed Kariam sadly confirmed that Sheehan died on August 3, 2023 after a battle with cancer, surrounded by loved ones.
Prolific Short Story Writer and Novelist
Over the course of her writing career, Sheehan published three collections of short stories: “Demigods on Speedway” (University of Arizona Press, 2014), “Jewelry Box: A Collection of Histories” (BOA Editions, Ltd., 2013), and “Jack Kerouac Is Pregnant” (Dalkey Archive Press, 1994). Her 2013 collection “Jewelry Box” was named one of the outstanding short story collections of the year by The Story Prize.
Sheehan’s talent also extended to novels, having published “History Lesson for Girls” (Viking Penguin, 2006) and “The Anxiety of Everyday Objects” (Penguin, 2004). Her lyrical prose and engaging narratives earned her critical acclaim.
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Award-Winning Author and Academic
Sheehan’s stories appeared in many prestigious literary journals, including Alaska Quarterly Review, Conjunctions, Epoch, Fence, Mississippi Review, Nimrod International Journal, New England Review, The New York Times, Ploughshares, and The Southern Review.
Her writing was also featured in notable anthologies like “xo Orpheus: 50 New Myths,” “Best of the West 2009,” and “Best of the West 2010.”
Over the years, Sheehan racked up various honors including the Pushcart Prize, Jack Kerouac Literary Award, Camargo Fellowship, and an Artists Projects Award from the Arizona Commission on the Arts.
Beyond writing fiction, Sheehan was dedicated to teaching and academia. She led workshops at institutions such as Hampshire College, Northern Arizona University, and Arizona State University. Recently, she was a 2018-2019 fellow in the University of Arizona’s Academic Leadership Institute.
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A Passionate Teacher
As a professor at the University of Arizona, Sheehan made lasting impacts through her creative writing courses. She guided students in finding their voices and honing their craft, while fostering a love for literature.
Her educational background included a B.A. from Hampshire College and an M.A. from the City College of New York. Sheehan also served on the Fulbright U.S. Student National Screening Committee, further demonstrating her commitment to academia.
Mourned by Family and Literary Community
The University of Arizona Poetry Center confirmed Sheehan’s passing in a post stating: “It is with a heavy heart that we share news that Aurelie Sheehan passed away on August 3. May her memory be a blessing.”
Sheehan touched many lives through her writing, teaching, and friendships. Her husband Reed Kariam and other family members were by her side in her final days. She will be dearly missed by her loved ones as well as the many writers and students she inspired.
Though her life was cut short, Sheehan leaves behind a lasting literary legacy through her acclaimed collections and novels. Her provocative stories and talent for capturing the human experience will continue inspiring readers for generations to come. The literary community has lost a unique voice and gifted storyteller.
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