Tracy Leigh Phipps Trinidad
Tracy Leigh Phipps Trinidad was born (January 15, 1971) and raised in Burtonsville, MD. Tracy attended Paint Branch High School, where she excelled in academics, sports, community, and leadership. She was captain of the Pom Squad, played softball, basketball and maintained a very high GPA while working at Brass Duck Restaurant & Phillips Crab House in Ocean City, MD. Tracy’s academic focus was always supporting Human Rights throughout her collegiate studies at University of Maryland majoring in International Studies, and then finishing her degree at Florida International University (while working at Outback in Miami, FL.) Tracy pursued a master’s degree at American University in International Affairs / South America (spoke Spanish, French, a little Russian) , and was a researcher and Associate Producer at Cronkite Ward & Company and a statistician supporting the U.S. Government. Tracy was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 1998 while filming a Discovery Channel show. Tracy married Will Trinidad in 1999. Tracy gave birth to son Antonio Jack (AJ) in 2001 and Walker Clemente in 2005. Tracy’s MS progressed but her faith and optimistic spirit never wavered. She was on the TYSABRI medication AND WORKED EVERY DAY TO BE THE BEST PERSON SHE COULD BE. Tracy moved back with her parents at Smith Mountain Lake, Moneta, Virginia in 2008 and joined the Resurrection Catholic Church. Because of her MS medication, the JC virus was able to attack her brain and a diagnosis of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) occurred in 2013, which had a 100% mortality rate at that time. The doctors gave her a life expectancy of 3 months. God worked his many Tracy miracles and Tracy’s determination grew stronger to be cured. With the unwavering love and support of family and friends, Tracy valiantly fought this disease and MS for another ten years, while always maintaining a positive outlook, kind demeanor and grace filled soul. Tracy went to be with our Creator on 18 March 2023 and in her final act of grace and generosity, she donated her body to science to help researchers map future treatments. Tracy Leigh Phipps Trinidad is survived by her loving mom, Gail Phipps, sons AJ (21), Walker (17) and sisters; Liz Coppa, Kelly Phipps, Carla Langjahr, and Lauren Sanders; and many other family members and caring and appreciative friends. As one of her friends said “Tracy has inspired so many of us with her infectious kindness, love of life, and deep faith. Though we are grieving the loss on this side, heaven just got even better!” Every Morning she greeted her family with a radiant smile and the words “Happy, Happy, Happy”. Try it. It might make your life better. Donations can be sent to the National MS Society or Resurrection Catholic Church. A memorial mass will be said at 11:00 a.m., on Thursday, March, 23, 2023 at Resurrection Catholic Church. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.
