Neighbors, Friends Remember Inspirational Long Island Woman

Long Beach, NY — Renee Seman was a mother, wife, runner and local inspiration to many, according to friends and those who are remembering her in and around Long Beach. She made headlines for her quest to run every major world marathon after her diagnosis of stage 4 breast cancer in 2014. Seman told Newsday in May that focusing on the positives that running brought to her life helped her cope. She also hoped it would give her daughter a way to remember her mother beyond the cancer diagnosis. Seman passed away in January at the age of 42.

Adele Aharanoff lived down the block from Seman, who approached her to be a running coach when she decided to tackle marathon training. Aharanoff said she feels grateful and inspired by her time being Seman's friend.

"I think celebrating her successes in the midst of her struggles is so inspiring for others as she lived out her last days living life to the fullest and never letting cancer define her," she said. "She let it make her even stronger and won many times over as it tried to stand in her path.

"She is still a part of me as I learn to get past my own conditions and get back to running," Aharanoff added.

Katie McKavey, originally from Bellport and now living in New Jersey met Renee in college and bonded with her quickly. She wrote in a tribute on Facebook that:

"I am deeply saddened to hear that we lost another great one to cancer. Renee Seman was a true warrior that not only put up a good fight but ran six major marathons across the globe while doing it. She was a little spitfire. Yet, once we became [sorority] sisters I quickly came to find that she was the sweetest. You will be missed! Sending my condolences to her husband, young daughter and family."

Seman left behind a husband, David Seman, and a 6-year-old daughter Diane. Seman's marathon goal was covered in April in a story in Runner's World magazine where she talked about her family's support.

“I want [my daughter] to be a part of this journey, for her to see me strong. ”

Aharanoff says that Seman "never lost her battle to cancer. We were so blessed to have her in our lives. It was a gift."