Stephanie Ann Stone was born on March 20, 1965, in Berkeley, CA to her parents Chuck and Ann Stone. She was joined shortly thereafter by her younger siblings Tricia and Scott. The Stone Family lived in Walnut Creek, CA; Provo, UT; and Palos Verdes, CA, before settling in Spokane, WA in 1980.

Stephanie lived a full life highlighted by her involvement with multiple groups and many special people. She graduated from West Valley High School in 1986 after an educational journey impacted by many dedicated teachers and staff. Her love and passion for all sports led to year-round involvement in Special Olympics throughout her childhood and early adulthood. Basketball, softball, and track and field were her favorites; she kept the family busy cheering her on as she competed in events all over Spokane County and Washington State.

After high school graduation, Stephanie worked for fifteen years at Hewlett Packard in Liberty Lake, WA, facilitated through the Arc of Spokane. She gained independence and valuable work and life skills during this time. The HP friendships she made lasted a lifetime. Stephanie held a variety of other jobs after leaving HP each contributing to her growing independence.

Above all else, Stephanie loved her family. Tricia and Scott were her lifelong, best friends. She grew up in close relationships with her cousins, Matt, Kate, Lisa, and Mark, and loved spending summers with them at the family cabin in Lake Tahoe. Tricia and Scott eventually married Lance and Jenny and she gained two more loving and adoring siblings. In 1995, Stephanie became an aunt. This was the role she was always meant to hold. Nick, Natalie, Lauren, and Charlie are blessed to have been doted upon by their aunt. Not a day went by that she wasn't sharing stories about her beloved nieces and nephews. Her greatest love, though, was shared with her parents, Ann, and Chuck. They spent every day of her fifty-six years caring for and loving each other.

To know Stephanie was to love her. Her smile was contagious; one of a kind. Her friends are too numerous to count; you know who you are. We find comfort in knowing that her suffering is over. She is enjoying her favorite cup of coffee, watching Little House on the Prairie, and waiting for the day we will all be together again.

Stephanie died in Spokane, WA on January 7, 2022, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was 56.  Stephanie's last nine months were spent at the most loving group home our family has ever encountered, Merry Glen Home. We will be forever grateful for the tender care she received from the dedicated staff at Merry Glen. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to this wonderful organization: Merry Glen, 2917 N. Cincinnati St. Spokane, WA 99207 https://www.merryglen.org/ A celebration of Stephanie's life will be held at a later time.