Obituary for Lois P. Stephany (Riley)
“My dear(s) I pray for you every day. I think of you all the time.”
It’s so very true. Lois Pauline Stephany lived her life in the grace of God and wisdom of life and truth. (And powered by some wine and chocolate).
This amazing woman celebrated her 96th birthday just a few short weeks ago. And right up until the end, she would pray for everyone and wanted to make sure we were all ok. “Thoughts and prayers” were not just passing words for this woman of amazing strength. Each morning she woke with a prayer and cared for her friends and family. Her “thoughts” turned into actions - from raising her 7 children (and a few others from the neighborhood) to running the books for her husband’s business and keeping dinner warm for his late arrivals. Never letting him eat alone.
Over the years she collected some beautiful, hilarious and some terrifying memories (yes, one child wore skates down the stairs). She gave herself to her family and her faith. From feeding a small army of mouths every night, to cleaning the church. From walking to stay healthy (and likely sane) to taking care of every sick grandkid.
From the day they married, built a home, started a business, and had a family – she was steadfast in her support for her “boyfriend” and husband, Bud. She and Bud worked as a team and made life happen – including a giant garden, neighborhood parties, trips with their kids in the giant station wagons, and trips for themselves to rekindle WWII relationships from the 30th Infantry. She fed strangers at the soup kitchen, and taught kids and grandkids how to garden and can food. There are so many people who’ve been touched by her life and her thoughts, her prayers.
After her husband, Bud (Austin), died in 2008, she took great pause. She missed him, their conversations, their life. She could feel him with her every day. And she was, of course, very sad. But she was committed – committed to living. She went on to replace both knees, lived on her own, went to exercise classes and walked on her treadmill. She attended family dinners, parties and was always happy to have a cup of coffee or lunch with anyone who called or stopped by. As soon you saw Lois, she’d greet you: “How are you? I pray for you and think of you all the time.”
She was supportive, and calm. But also, very funny. Lois had funny expressions: if she didn’t care for something that happened, she’d let out a little sarcastic “woo hoo.” And she occasionally (6x a year) swore at just the right moment. She’d give you the “oh, REALLY?” if you tried to pull a fast one or someone else did on you. Or she’d toss her hand and say, “So. What!” if you really didn’t need to worry about something. She also had very specific and amazing tastes – she loved purple, chocolate, ice cream, wine and roses. Add any one of those tastes and some company, and she was content.
Her smile told you she loved you, her questions told you she cared, and her hands always offered comfort. And in her peaceful entrance to Heaven on Wednesday, reunited with her Bud, she left us all to love each other. Her grace, her strength, and her faith live on in each of us.
Lois Stephany was loved by so many.
Predeceased by her husband, Austin L. Stephany. Survived by her children, Dianne (Norm) Schaefer, William (Margaret) Stephany, Patricia (William) Smith, Kathleen (Les) Dingfield, Mary Stephany-Veltz (Brad Amedeo), Joseph Stephany and John (Kimberly) Stephany; 16 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Mary Ann Huber; nieces and nephews.
Friends are welcome Thursday, August 11th from 4-7pm at the Dreier-Giltner Funeral Home, 1717 Portland Ave. Lois' Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, August 12th 10am at Peace of Christ Parish at St. Ambrose Church. Interment Oakwood Cemetery. Memorials to her brother's memorial scholarship - William H. Riley Memorial Scholarship, St. John Fisher College, Development Office, 3690 East Ave. Rochester, NY 14618 or to Lifetime Hospice.
It’s so very true. Lois Pauline Stephany lived her life in the grace of God and wisdom of life and truth. (And powered by some wine and chocolate).
This amazing woman celebrated her 96th birthday just a few short weeks ago. And right up until the end, she would pray for everyone and wanted to make sure we were all ok. “Thoughts and prayers” were not just passing words for this woman of amazing strength. Each morning she woke with a prayer and cared for her friends and family. Her “thoughts” turned into actions - from raising her 7 children (and a few others from the neighborhood) to running the books for her husband’s business and keeping dinner warm for his late arrivals. Never letting him eat alone.
Over the years she collected some beautiful, hilarious and some terrifying memories (yes, one child wore skates down the stairs). She gave herself to her family and her faith. From feeding a small army of mouths every night, to cleaning the church. From walking to stay healthy (and likely sane) to taking care of every sick grandkid.
From the day they married, built a home, started a business, and had a family – she was steadfast in her support for her “boyfriend” and husband, Bud. She and Bud worked as a team and made life happen – including a giant garden, neighborhood parties, trips with their kids in the giant station wagons, and trips for themselves to rekindle WWII relationships from the 30th Infantry. She fed strangers at the soup kitchen, and taught kids and grandkids how to garden and can food. There are so many people who’ve been touched by her life and her thoughts, her prayers.
After her husband, Bud (Austin), died in 2008, she took great pause. She missed him, their conversations, their life. She could feel him with her every day. And she was, of course, very sad. But she was committed – committed to living. She went on to replace both knees, lived on her own, went to exercise classes and walked on her treadmill. She attended family dinners, parties and was always happy to have a cup of coffee or lunch with anyone who called or stopped by. As soon you saw Lois, she’d greet you: “How are you? I pray for you and think of you all the time.”
She was supportive, and calm. But also, very funny. Lois had funny expressions: if she didn’t care for something that happened, she’d let out a little sarcastic “woo hoo.” And she occasionally (6x a year) swore at just the right moment. She’d give you the “oh, REALLY?” if you tried to pull a fast one or someone else did on you. Or she’d toss her hand and say, “So. What!” if you really didn’t need to worry about something. She also had very specific and amazing tastes – she loved purple, chocolate, ice cream, wine and roses. Add any one of those tastes and some company, and she was content.
Her smile told you she loved you, her questions told you she cared, and her hands always offered comfort. And in her peaceful entrance to Heaven on Wednesday, reunited with her Bud, she left us all to love each other. Her grace, her strength, and her faith live on in each of us.
Lois Stephany was loved by so many.
Predeceased by her husband, Austin L. Stephany. Survived by her children, Dianne (Norm) Schaefer, William (Margaret) Stephany, Patricia (William) Smith, Kathleen (Les) Dingfield, Mary Stephany-Veltz (Brad Amedeo), Joseph Stephany and John (Kimberly) Stephany; 16 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Mary Ann Huber; nieces and nephews.
Friends are welcome Thursday, August 11th from 4-7pm at the Dreier-Giltner Funeral Home, 1717 Portland Ave. Lois' Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, August 12th 10am at Peace of Christ Parish at St. Ambrose Church. Interment Oakwood Cemetery. Memorials to her brother's memorial scholarship - William H. Riley Memorial Scholarship, St. John Fisher College, Development Office, 3690 East Ave. Rochester, NY 14618 or to Lifetime Hospice.