Stephanie died unexpectedly in her sleep at home on Wednesday, April 16th.   She was happier, more content with her life and dear dog, Bailey, than she had been at any time since a 2nd open heart surgery 4  years ago.  However, heart failure issues were the likely cause of her death.

Stephanie was born on February 12, 1948, in Longmont, Colorado, the daughter of Georgia Newton Curran and John Patrick Curran Jr., the eldest of five siblings, four sisters and one lucky brother.  Her adventures in life included living ocean to ocean; from Puerto Rico to Eureka, California, but she always returned to Colorado to be in her own home with her faithful furry dog companions.

She was a cheerleader, an actress with a wonderful voice ( the Mikado-Katisha) and an exceptional student in her Sterling High School years. She was a nurses assistant, a banking administrative assistant and realtor in her early working careers.  Ultimately, she found her inspiration and fullfilment in service, first to many international students and their families at the University of Colorado Economics Institute (where at the age of 40 she completed her college degree, a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration); and then working with families and children’s health and benefits at Foothills United Way, Boulder and Early Childhood Education/Council of Boulder County. She was an intelligent, thoughtful, caring, professional woman with a rare organizational genius.  All qualities that made her a valued part of any team and gave her great joy.   She was a counselor, a mentor, a teacher, a friend and a mother to many.  Her unconditional love for and devotion to her family’s well-being was always of paramount importance.

Stephanie was a voracious reader.  The library was a second home. A favorite quote of her’s that she saved and displayed was   “I have lived a thousand lives and I have loved a thousand loves.  I’ve walked on distant worlds and seen the end of time.  Because I read.” 

In recent years, she developed and nurtured a love for opera by listening to the Metropolitan Opera Saturday Matinee broadcast on CPR.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister Paula Rose Curran and a brother, John Patrick Curran III.   Surviving are sisters Susan (Kevin) Lee, and Mary (James) Greenhalge, two nephews Christopher (Amanda) Greenhalge and Patrick (Colleen) Lee, a great-nephew and 4 great-nieces, sister in law Mary Curran, and extended family and friends.

In accordance with her wishes no formal memorial service is planned.  The immediate family will spread her ashes at a later date.  A commemorative brick will be installed later this summer in the Centennial Garden at the Boulder’s Chautauqua Park, next to her mothers brick.  It will be engraved with “Stephanie Ann Curran” followed by, at her request, “And she never camped”:-)

In closing we close with an epitaph she always said at the end of family get together.  "God Bless You and We Love You!

We ask that you take a moment to reflect upon how Stephanie was a part of your life; give those furry friends a special treat; listen to La bohème on a Saturday morning; read a special book or maybe a return of kindness to a neighbor, a child, a family, a friend in memory of Stephanie.

Donations can be made to Early Childhood Council of Boulder County https://www.eccbouldercounty.org/donate     Or a charity of your choice.

God Bless You We Love You!