This post was submitted by Marilyn Micka-Pickunka.

This post was submitted by Marz.

Early on in Steph’s treatment there was always a flurry of activity in her hospital room. Her million and one friends were calling, texting, visiting and emailing. Her treatment was pretty intensive and grueling to say the least. But was this going to stop her from being a part of the goings on… NO!

One night Steve and I were alone in the room with her and she was sleeping with one eye on her cell phone. She was afraid she would miss that all important phone call. We felt that she needed some rest to keep up her strength for what lied ahead. So… when we thought she was sleeping we turned off the cell phone. You can probably guess what happened next. YUP… she woke up and demanded to know who cut off her lifeline.

She was so angered by this she jumped out of bed and grabbed her IV pole and started to leave the room. All of a sudden she turned around and grabbed the Chocolate Chip Cookies and marched down the hall. If you could have seen her determination. We laughed about that for a long time.

All kidding aside she was a trooper and I miss her spirit, her laughter, and her zest for life.

Claire

This post was submitted by Claire Varelas.

We were in the kitchen discussing the finer details over a cold beer when the topic of pizza came up, (roofers need nourishment). At that point Dan looked at me and smiled. “You should have been with me the other day for lunch, I was in line at the pizza place waiting to place my order”.

Now it’s important to note here that the pizza place is a local spot located in a small town not far from the very liberal and trendy college town of Northampton Mass. This pizza place is your typical middle of the road small town mom and pop type restaurant.

So as Dan continued to say it…”the guy ahead of me in line orders a large veggie to go, and he wants arugula, pine nuts, and goat cheese topping added”. Dan pauses here and a huge smile crosses his face. “Well the young lady behind the counter she looks as if she more than likely works two other jobs, and probably enjoys partying when she has the opportunity, you know? She looks at this guy who asked for the goat cheese and stuff and says, “you want what? You better go back and take another look at the menu dude, we don’t serve goat here or that other stuff either ! You must think you’re at some joint down in Northampton or something, you better go back and get your order right and stop wasting my time OK?” Next!

Dan just got the biggest kick out of how this young lady set this guy straight and we were sharing a slightly boozy but hearty laugh picturing this when I suddenly realized, “Hey Marg”, said I, (Marg is my lovely wife and my memory much of the time), “Hey Marg isn’t that the place Stepher works at?”

Sure enough it was and I am not a betting man but I would definitely wager that Steph was working that shift. If you knew Steph you would have to agree!

We miss you Stepher.

Uncle Bob and Aunt Marg (and Dan)

This post was submitted by Bob LaPalme.

Being a late comer to this family, I didn’t know Stephanie for nearly as long as others have. I do remember thinking from time to time, that kid is something special. I don’t know that I could ever really put my finger on it. At first it was just a twinkle in her eye, a sly grin that would say, yeah, I know exactly what you’re thinking. Maybe it was the uncanny wit that she possessed for someone so young. Or maybe the fact that I don’t think I ever saw her without a smile on her face. She always seemed to look at the world as a place just ripe for the taking. She was well on her way too.

I used to love having conversations with her, because, in spite of her youth, she had a pretty solid grasp on what was important in life, and it is this what I will forever remember about her.

I visited with Steph not long before she left the hospital for the last time. I tried to pull the “lets keep the conversation light” thing for a while. But Steph would only tolerate so much of that. So, after a few family members had left the room, and it was only she and I in the room, she looked at me with that same twinkle in her eye, and sly grin of hers, and she told me that she wasn’t scared of dying. She said that her only fear was for her mother, her father, and her brother and sister. She feared that they weren’t going to be ok after this. She wanted to make sure that they would get the support that they needed, and be able to continue to live a fruitful life.

I think about this conversation every time I think of Stephanie. This is exactly what I couldn’t put my finger on before this moment. She was just special. Here is a 21 year old girl, who had fought her ass off, to beat this cancer. She clearly knew that she was nearing the end of her battle, and she had no concern or fear for herself. Her only concern was for her family, and she hoped that they would be ok.

I learned a lot about life that day, from a 21 year old young lady. I can safely say two things. One, someone did something right with this kid, and I am a better person for having known her.

Craig

If I could speak to Stephanie today, I would tell her about the amazing things that her family is doing in her name. I would tell her that because of her sacrifice, her family is working extremely hard to help other local families deal with the struggle that comes with cancer. I hope that this would help put an end to the only fear I ever saw in Stephanie.

This post was submitted by Craig Vettori.

Steph, or Stephie as I always called her (probably due to the small age difference) seemed to be the quiet one growing up. Sundays at Gram’s house, my sisters and I were able to pretend we had another little sister, and relished in "taking care" of someone younger than us. I recall attempting to carry her around, and possibly even boss her around. She let us know when she had enough.

And boy was she smart! I remember sitting at Grams kitchen table and watching her do addition and subtraction (I swear) when she was just 5 or 6. She was extremely independent, doing her own thing, and breaking out of the constraints of normality with every stride. She was somewhat overshadowed by having older siblings; hence the quiet reference, but was not quiet about doing her thing and following her hearts desires. Her eyes sparkled with fierce independence and a fiery glow that let every onlooker know that she was a force to be reckoned with.

She fought her battle with cancer to the very end, never giving in and with a strength that sustained not only her, but those supporting her. Her quick wit and charm quelled even the most unabashed moments. Always with smile and laughter will she remain in my heart, mind and soul.

May the tears that are shed in your remembrance reciprocate by bringing life and vitality in the journey taken.

~ Bethie

This post was submitted by Beth V.