Obituary for Mrs. Stephanie "Stella" Shchepanik (Oktaba)
Stephanie (Stella) Shchepanik
April 17, 1941 - April 9, 2021
It is with heavy hearts we announce that Mrs. Stephanie (Stella) Shchepanik (nee Oktaba) passed away unexpectedly in her home on Friday April 9, 2021, just 8 days shy of her 80th birthday.
Stella was born in Fort William, Ontario on April 17, 1941. She became a mother at a young age and with much drive and dedication was able to put herself through night school adult learning, successfully graduating as an RPN. She worked as a nurse at Westmount Hospital, then the Lakehead Psychiatric Hospital from which she retired in 1996 after 25 years of service. Her job at the LPH was a highlight in her life. She loved what she did and showed love to each one of her patients that came into her care. She often would speak of the many different patients that touched her life and made her the nurse that she was.
Stella was always known for her incredible cooking skills. She hands down made the best pierogis and cabbage rolls. Her meals and her love for entertaining are what made her home an open door for friends and family in the earlier years. Your plate was never empty at any of these gatherings. Stella also kept a special place in her heart for the family camp at Sturgeon Bay. There were countless memories that were made out there from spending time with her husband, her children and watching her grandchildren grow up out there. Stella enjoyed attending Bingo, and this was an activity that she did for herself to socialize. Stella was also known for her outgoing personality and her sense of humour. No matter what challenges in life came her way, she never lost that. She never missed an opportunity to tell a joke and you can see in her eyes how much she loved making people laugh. She would often visit the local coffee shops and West Fort Coney Island to sit and talk with whoever wanted to listen. She was full of so many stories and continued to tell these stories up until her passing.
Stella was predeceased by her husband Walter Shchepanik and later by her special friend Duncan Martyn.
She was also predeceased by: her parents Bill and Katherine Oktaba, Sisters Rose and Josie, Brother Bill.
She is survived by her children Gary (Janice) Shchepanik and Sharon (Marvin) Butikofer; grandchildren Andrea (Ryan) Winters, Aaron (Leanne) Butikofer, Hailey and Jordan; great grandchildren Ryder, Grayson, Blake, Ethan, Eila and Evan. She is also survived by her sister Olga (Bill) of Winnipeg, sister-in-laws: Anne Chicorli, Amelia and Eileen Shchepanik, Susan Oktaba and many nieces and nephews.
Due to Covid restrictions, a graveside service will be announced at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to the WESTFORT CHAPEL, 420 West Gore Street at James.
April 17, 1941 - April 9, 2021
It is with heavy hearts we announce that Mrs. Stephanie (Stella) Shchepanik (nee Oktaba) passed away unexpectedly in her home on Friday April 9, 2021, just 8 days shy of her 80th birthday.
Stella was born in Fort William, Ontario on April 17, 1941. She became a mother at a young age and with much drive and dedication was able to put herself through night school adult learning, successfully graduating as an RPN. She worked as a nurse at Westmount Hospital, then the Lakehead Psychiatric Hospital from which she retired in 1996 after 25 years of service. Her job at the LPH was a highlight in her life. She loved what she did and showed love to each one of her patients that came into her care. She often would speak of the many different patients that touched her life and made her the nurse that she was.
Stella was always known for her incredible cooking skills. She hands down made the best pierogis and cabbage rolls. Her meals and her love for entertaining are what made her home an open door for friends and family in the earlier years. Your plate was never empty at any of these gatherings. Stella also kept a special place in her heart for the family camp at Sturgeon Bay. There were countless memories that were made out there from spending time with her husband, her children and watching her grandchildren grow up out there. Stella enjoyed attending Bingo, and this was an activity that she did for herself to socialize. Stella was also known for her outgoing personality and her sense of humour. No matter what challenges in life came her way, she never lost that. She never missed an opportunity to tell a joke and you can see in her eyes how much she loved making people laugh. She would often visit the local coffee shops and West Fort Coney Island to sit and talk with whoever wanted to listen. She was full of so many stories and continued to tell these stories up until her passing.
Stella was predeceased by her husband Walter Shchepanik and later by her special friend Duncan Martyn.
She was also predeceased by: her parents Bill and Katherine Oktaba, Sisters Rose and Josie, Brother Bill.
She is survived by her children Gary (Janice) Shchepanik and Sharon (Marvin) Butikofer; grandchildren Andrea (Ryan) Winters, Aaron (Leanne) Butikofer, Hailey and Jordan; great grandchildren Ryder, Grayson, Blake, Ethan, Eila and Evan. She is also survived by her sister Olga (Bill) of Winnipeg, sister-in-laws: Anne Chicorli, Amelia and Eileen Shchepanik, Susan Oktaba and many nieces and nephews.
Due to Covid restrictions, a graveside service will be announced at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to the WESTFORT CHAPEL, 420 West Gore Street at James.