In Memory of Stephanie

The Western PA Kidney Support Groups lost one of its founding members, Stephanie Page, on January 23, 2010.

Stephanie was a little girl with a big heart and a big smile who leaves some very big shoes to fill. Despite the tragic circumstances of her life, Stephanie was always cheerful and looking for ways to help others to live better with chronic kidney disease.

Stephanie's life story was featured on the Pennsylvania Donate Life website as part of their "Extraordinary People" campaign: http://www.donatelife-pa.org/extraordinary_stephanie.asp and in Kidney Times: http://www.kidneytimes.com/article.php?id=20080724162018

Stephanie was proud to be involved with the Renal Support Network as a PEPP Speaker, WeKan Member and Hopeline Operator. She helped to coordinate a very well-attended RSN Patient Lifestyle meeting in Pittsburgh last year, and was working on another one for this spring.

She was also a very active volunteer with the National Kidney Foundation, Transplant Recipients International Organization (TRIO), Center for Organ Recovery and Education (CORE) and the American Diabetes Association. She touched many lives with her volunteer work and as a personal trainer at Curves. She was indeed an extraordinary person to those of us who had the pleasure of knowing her.

We pray that she is now reunited with her beloved husband, Doug, and her devoted parents, and that she is able to dance again, forevermore.Stephanie truly valued the gift of life she received through transplantation, and used her life to make a difference for so many.

Please click on the guestbook on the "In Memory of Stephanie" tab to leave your tributes to this remarkable woman that we will all miss.

The Westmoreland Support Group lives on, and will now be lead by Jack Silverstein. See the "Who We Are" tab for contact information. Thanks Jack for stepping forward to keep this group going!

Robb & Lora Wilson

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9 Comments

Reply Sandy Walker

11:09 AM on August 20, 2010

Though I did not know Stephanie personally, through this website, I feel her warmth and passion. Without people like her, the organ transplant community would not have had the much needed support and contributions she provided. We all need to rally together in our efforts to educate the public n all areas of organ donation awareness including the pre transplant and post transplant time period for the recipient and their caregiver(s), what they face on a day-to-day basis, both emotionally, physically and monetarily, and the wonderful gift of life given by one to another.

Thank you Robb and Lora Wilson for writing such a beautiful piece on Stephanie and for the support group for sharing it with everyone.

Reply denise roskovensky mccormick

08:16 AM on March 07, 2010

Thanks all for remembering Stephanie. I grew up with her and did many firsts beginning in the first grade so you can imagine a multitude of 50 years worth of memories. Her legacy of contributions will continue through your group efforts and I applaud you for creating this link. If there were one word to describe Stephanie's spirit, it would be RESILIENT. I'll miss my dear friend and I wish you the best.

Reply Patricia Pickett

06:20 PM on February 04, 2010

I'll always remember Stephanie for her warmth and wonderful smile. We had a nice conversation at last year's picnic. I admired the wonderful work she was doing in the organ donation community. I'm sure that she was a support to many and will be sadly missed.

Reply Judy and Tom wilson

09:44 PM on January 25, 2010

Stephanie was always such a sincere person and so upbeat . She was a tremendous advocate of organ donation and will be greatly missed.

Reply John & Malinda Sherid

10:09 AM on January 25, 2010

What a tremendous loss. When I met Stephanie, I felt an instant bond. We shared, we laughed, we cried together. We worked together as a team with giving and receiving in the miracle of transplant. She shared her story with a smile that was contagious. As we look into the sky may we see her smiling down upon us for she is now a shining star. May you dance with the angels.

Reply Mary Lou & John Millward

07:10 AM on January 25, 2010

Stephanie had such hope for a longer life with another kidney to accomplish that or to live with dialysis if need be. She was an inspiration and friend to so many people. We will miss our dear Stephanie. We all need to remain strong as transplant recipients and care givers. Our prayers go out to her family.

Reply CHERIE BISCHOFF

06:46 PM on January 24, 2010

I WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT STEPHANIE WAS THE GREATEST. SHE DID FULFILL OUR LIVES WITH LOVE AND MOST OF ALL....HER CARING FOR ALL OF US. SHE LOVED EVERYONE EVEN IF YOU DID NOT A KIDNEY. I HAD A KIDNEY AND PANCREAS.
WITHOUT HER BEING THERE FOR US-- HER FRIENDSHIP AND LOVING US....WE WOULD BE LOST. MY MOTHER, EDNA HYSONG, AND I HAVE A HUGE HEART FOR STEPHANIE. SHE WILL BE MISSED SO MUCH.

Reply Donna and Jack

11:54 AM on January 24, 2010

Our hearrts are heavy with grief. We lost a beloved friend and ally in our quest to spread the word of organ donation. Stephanie was a great inspiration to all those who received a transplant or were on the waiting list. We never saw her without a smile on her face, and she had a smile in her voice as well. She was the eternal optimist. Her tireless devotion to "the cause" will be her lasting testimonial. And our lives have been greatly enriched because of Stephanie's friendship.

Reply Jo Anne Schwarz

11:04 AM on January 24, 2010

I did not know Stephanie very well but I remember that every time I saw her she was always smiling and encouraging. She would light
up the room and you always knew she was there. I will miss that.
My thoughts and prayers to all of her family and to her many friends.