SOUTH PORTLAND- Amy Katherine Eppolito, 41, passed peacefully in the early morning on Jan. 29, 2015 at her home in South Portland surrounded by loving family and friends. Her passing was closely followed by the clear brilliance of a new day's sunrise.Amy was born in Dunkirk, NY, on May 26, 1973 to James and Carolyn Eppolito, and was the eldest of five sisters. She grew up in Fredonia, NY, where she later met her husband, Christopher Mauthe. Amy and Christopher married in May, 1994 and cherished one another for 20 years. Their careers took them to many locations they loved to explore and where they made a home filled always with tranquility, comfort, and love.Amy studied for four years at the SUNY Fredonia School of Music in a dual major of Music Therapy and Applied Music. Her music therapy background ignited an eventual passion for neuroscience, and she completed her education at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., earning a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, and Master's and Doctorate degrees in Biopsychology. Her work centered on understanding how drugs of abuse alter the brain and promote addiction, with particular regard to exposure in prenatal development. Amy did postdoctoral training at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio; then moved on to Lecturer positions at the University of the Incarnate Word, and more recently, at the University of Southern Maine in Portland. Amy co-authored a number of scientific papers during her short career and was an enthusiastic researcher and teacher. She held her students to high standards, always seeking to mold them into their best selves, and greatly looked forward to starting her own research program where she could foster the development of eager students into engaged and articulate investigators.Amy lived a vibrant, active life, bringing an eye for the highest quality of experience to all of the endeavors she explored. Her passions included exercise, both within a fitness regimen to which she adhered with energy and discipline, and outside where she enjoyed jogging or biking along the trails and paths wherever she called home. A casually enthusiastic bird watcher, she was delighted with the numerous species of birds that would congregate at the feeder. Her other interests were music, close friends whom she loved dearly, great food which abounded in all places she lived, and all mediums of art. Amy lived her life with an uncommon strength and an easy grace that proved to impress whomever she met. She maintained those qualities through her illness, inspiring and moving those who knew her. Amy is survived by her husband; parents; and four sisters, Sarah Collins (Rik), Beth Walker (James), Lisa Eppolito (Kenton Brown), and Anna Eppolito (Nathan Klippel). Amy also leaves behind many special nieces ,nephews; aunts; uncles; and cousins. Amy's love for her friends, near and far, professional and personal should also be mentioned, for she was so very fond of every one of you.In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to one of two organizations that Amy believed helped those in need: Preble Street Homeless shelter (www.preblestreet.org), and the Cancer Community Center (cancercommunitycenter.org).
Arrangements are with Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service - Buxton www.mainefuneral.com