Stephanie Laurel Parker
Obituary
After a long bout with Myeloma & Vasculitis, Stephanie succumbed to multiple heart incidents and is now in Heaven. A Celebration Of Life service will be held on Saturday, August 20th at Bonney Watson Funeral Home in SeaTac, Washington at 10:30 a.m.
Though only 54, she is survived by her beloved husband of 32 years, Gary, her brother, Paul Stermer, her daughter, Kaitlynn (Kate), her son, Jacob (Jake), her granddaughter Ellie, her mother, Ella (Cookie), her father, Eldon, and 3 sisters of Eldon’s 1st marriage: Esther, Annabel, & Rachel. Stephanie (Steph) had many friends besides the close relationships with her adopted sisters (who live in Virginia). Another sister, Victoria (Vickie) passed away last year, after four heart attacks.
Her friends came from her experiences in 4 churches, her 27 years in health care as a Medical Assistant, her student year in Hamburg, Germany, her years in Annie Wright School, Tacoma, Washington, many years in Lifeway Church of Federal Way, Washington, and friends from Fox Lake Hills, Illinois, Baltimore, Maryland, Vashon Island, Washington, Vancouver, Canada, Hamburg, Germany, Saudi Arabia, and Gabon, Africa. She loved to talk about the Lord Jesus Christ, her favorite authors, current events, and family affairs in Virginia & Washington, especially about her children & baby granddaughter. She was born in Baltimore, Maryland, moved to Illinois when she was 3, and Western Washington when she was 9. She married Gary when she was 22 and stayed happily married to him for 32 years. Her whole life was about helping others, especially babies and people in need, resulting in many friends and loving relatives. While having firm convictions on many subjects, she was easy-going, and very friendly. She visited her parents once or twice every month, while exchanging many phone calls, emails, and text messages in between. She especially liked family dinners on birthdays and holidays, usually bringing her dog, “Baby” with her. She was greatly loved and will be sorely missed.
I met Stephanie last winter through our women’s small group at Church and found her to be extremely friendly, warm, and open. We connected right away and I can only imagine where our friendship would have gone had she not been so sick. We texted or talked on the phone several times and I visited her in the hospital once. Despite her health battle, she was always happy, upbeat, and knew the Lord was with her.
Gary, Kate, and Jacob… Stephanie so loved you and she felt your protective love for her. At our small group prayers, we included prayers of blessings over you. I am so sorry for your loss.
I met Steph through church home groups many years ago.
She was my ” road trip” buddy. We had great times. I got to go to her parents cabin in the woods and help Cookie celebrate one of her birthdays.
Baby loved going with Steph.
Steph loved her family, and was always there to help if needed.
Oh Steph I’m going to miss you so much.
I was very blessed to have you as a friend and in my life.
Love and miss you 💟
I worked with Stephanie at the 12th Street Clinic in Auburn. She was truly a ray of sunshine at work. She was always smiling and positive, always the first to find something to be grateful for on the most stressful of days, she was quiet and dignified in all she did. She led by example and always maintained a very high standard of conduct which elevated the reputation of the clinic. She was liked by everyone and her desk became a gathering spot for some of us to stop by and visit and laugh and joke when we got a spare moment. It was a privilege to work with her and to call her a friend. The world has lost a bright and shining light.