For Amanda Magenheim, her favorite place to be was Penn State.

Whether it was football games in Beaver Stadium or THON, some of her happiest memories with her family and friends in the past 2.5 years have been at Penn State.

The Penn State junior died from a severe asthma attack on January 12, but her family is remembering her and her bubbly spirit at home and in Happy Valley.

“She loved everything about school, sports, academics, and the people she met,” her mom Donna Magenheim said. “Amanda always handled whatever life threw at her with grace and compassion.”

Magenheim was a student at Penn State with the hope of becoming an occupational therapist and earning her master’s degree. The 21-year-old was part of the occupational therapy club, THON organization IMPACT, and held two jobs on campus at the Krause Innovation Center in the College of Education and Campus Recreation.

Some of the most special times in Happy Valley came with her roommates and close friends, and her sense of humor and resilient personality served as an inspiration to everyone around her.

“You could feel her presence in every room,” roommate Lindsay Stone said. “No matter [what] the conversation was or the situation, even if she was just there, she was funny.”

While the group loved tailgating and Penn State football, some of their favorite memories were trips to the King of Prussia Mall and Hershey Park or hanging out after a long day of classes.

Magenheim always supported those around her, even if it meant riding 26 rollercoasters at Hershey Park just to hold her friends’ hands.

“I was just happy to have someone to sit in the back with because I can’t stand the front of rollercoasters,” roommate Fima Sissoko said.

Magenheim’s cousin, Julia Garamella, also attended Penn State and got to share special time with her cousin in college.

“Amanda always made me laugh no matter what,” Garamella said. “She was one of my favorite people to hang out with.”

Even at family gatherings in New Jersey, the topic of conversation always circled back to the Nittany Lions.

“She always had things that were Penn State,” Garamella said. “For Christmas, all she asked for was Penn State apparel.”

While all the Penn State talk at holiday dinners might’ve ticked off her sister, she was glad to have a gracious and giving soul for a sibling. 

“She was just beloved, and that’s the best way to describe it,” Erica Magenheim said. “She received just what she put out into the universe and it was love and respect.” 

She touched every life that she encountered and always found the light in situations, no matter how big or small.

“She always put others before her,” boyfriend James Joyce said. “She always cared about her friends and about everybody, that’s why I really liked being around her and having her be a part of my life.”

While Magenheim will be missed by friends and family every day, her legacy and her kindhearted spirit live on the lives she touched.

“I was so proud of the young woman she had become and the outpouring of support and love for her has been immense. [It was] a true testament of the person she was,” Donna Magenheim said.

The Magenheim family asks for donations to be directed to Penn State University, Penn State THON, or its GoFundMe page to help with expenses.