Desirée Montana Cody

Desirée Montana Cody
1982-2025

Desirée Montana Cody, 42, of Millcreek—a sincerely beautiful, loyal, and thoughtful soul—joined Heaven’s choir unexpectedly on Friday, March 28, 2025. Jesus put His song of grace and redemption in her heart at an early age, and now she’s singing His praises face to face at the top of her lungs.

She was born December 16, 1982 at Torrejón Air Base near Madrid, Spain to Gary Robert Cody II and Kathleen (Kathy) Marie (Cody) Sheldon, née Karpinski. At just two years old she was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a malignant brain tumor, but God worked a precious miracle, restoring her body and solidifying a powerful testimony of His mercy and love. Despite the cancer and life-long complications that followed aggressive radiation and surgery, she was more than her medical history.

Desirée was creative, passionate, and caring, born looking like the cutest Cabbage Patch Kid with the zesty/sweet personality of a Sour Patch Kid. She graduated from McDowell High School in 2001 and proudly served coffee for six and a half years as one of Erie’s first baristas at Starbucks’ flagship store on State Street. She then studied diligently to obtain her Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and briefly worked as a day care classroom assistant. Her generous spirit longed to serve children and animals, so she whole-heartedly committed to teaching Sunday School for fifteen years at Garden Heights Baptist Church, where she was a member, and volunteered at the Erie Humane Society, where she warmly snuggled dogs and the occasional cat over the span of approximately five years.

The LORD was Desirée’s refuge and strength, a very present help in the midst of troubles. And so she was more than a conqueror through Christ who loved her, shining brightly for Him throughout her short life.

She was preceded in death by her beloved grandparents, Gary Robert Cody I (Papa), Donna Fay (Mowery) Cody (Grandma C), Edward Leonard Karpinski (Gramps), and Dorothy (Bartosik) Karpinski (Grandma K); and her brother, Blade Tyler (Cody) Strong.

Desirée was a deeply devoted daughter, granddaughter, sister, and aunt and will be loved and missed by all. She is survived by her parents, Gary and Kathy (Guy); four siblings, Megan Cody Quiggle (Joel), Zachary (Zack) Sheldon (Kathleen), Abby Sheldon, and Seth Sheldon; her brother’s widow, Ellie Strong; four nephews, Ryder, Ronin, Callum, and Sidney; a niece, Theodora; and two grandparents by marriage, John (Jack) and Connie Sheldon. She is also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins, and church family that will never forget her tender heart, childlike faith, and sweet smile.

We will celebrate Desirée’s life on Monday April 7, 2025 at Garden Heights Baptist Church (GHBC), 4224 McClelland Avenue, Erie, PA 16510. Relatives and friends are invited to call from 10 a.m. until the memorial service at 12 p.m., conducted by Pastor Mark Warnshuis.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to GHBC Children’s Ministry or Erie Humane Society, 2407 Zimmerly Road, Erie, PA 16506.

Arrangements are being handled by the Dusckas Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc. Condolences may be sent to www.dusckasfuneralhomes.com.