Stacey Marie Souza

On January 6, 2023 the world became a little dimmer with the loss of our beloved Stacey Marie Souza. Stacey just 35 years old, passed away suddenly in her sleep in the home she shared with her fiancé and beloved dog.

Stacey was born and raised in Santa Clara. Graduating from Cupertino High School in 2005 and going on to attend Chico State University. She graduated from Chico State in 2009 with a B.S in Psychology and returned to the Bay Area to begin her career. Stacey chose psychology as her discipline because she wanted a path to help people where she could make a positive impact. She wanted to make a difference in the lives she touched. These aspirations were a continuous theme throughout her personal and professional life. The prodigal cheerleader for the people in her life, she was always focused on helping the ones she loved realize their potential goals.

This was abundantly evident in Stacey’s commitment to Relay for Life. Stacey joined Relay for Life Santa Clara in 2011 as a volunteer to help wipe out cancer. A cause near and dear to her heart as it had affected so many she loved. She quickly moved from a volunteer to a leader. Organizing the event from the ground up, recruiting volunteers, pounding the pavement for donors, spending countless hours in meetings nailing down all the minute details to pull off the event. Never complaining but rather always asking, “how can I do this better, what can I do to make it more successful”. Even while she was engrossed in wedding planning and her time was stretched to the max, she still devoted endless hours to planning the 2023 Relay. It was vital to her that the event was flawless. She didn’t have to do Relay, she wanted to do it. She wanted to help end cancer and save lives. That’s who Stacey was; always looking for a way to do good, to leave her mark, to impact lives. Those were the moments she loved, that brought her job. Those moments that were wrapped up in the happiness of others. That was Stacey, always finding joy while helping others.

Stacey lived with intention, choosing happiness and joy each and every day. She filled her cup with activities, people, and experiences she loved. And boy oh boy did our girl have a lot she loved.

She loved crafting and tea dates with her mom, movie nights and Disney days with her dad. She loved baking cookies with her aunt and having dinner with her grandparents. She loved hikes, wine dates, coffee breaks and texting to the wee hours with her friends. She loved car rides to the coast and bonfires on the beach. She loved every dog she met and even the ones she hadn’t. She loved morning workouts and afternoon walks.She loved her fitness groups, workout community, and accountability buddies. She loved her quiet morning snuggles with Teddy while she sipped her cup of Chromatic Coffee. She loved rainy days wrapped in warm blankets. She loved every shade of purple and rose gold everything. She loved planning her days, making notes and organizing her Happy Planner. She loved her workout selfies and slipping into her daily Spirit Jersey. She loved documenting her life and adventures with dozens of pictures each day. And Disneyland, oh how much she loved Disneyland. The ears, the churros, the smell of Main Street, the parades, the fireworks, the shows, the joy of seeing Eeyore every single trip, the magic, and sharing those experiences with the people she loved, that was her favorite part.

But above all what she loved most, what made her heart flutter that was her Joebear and her Teddybear.

In 2014 Stacey went on a casual breakfast date to meet someone new. That someone would become the love of her life, Joe. They went on to build a home and life together. They quickly added their beloved pup Teddy to the mix, and it became the little family Stacey dreamed of. Valentine’s Day 2021 was the happiest day of Stacey’s life, when Joe asked her to be his forever, setting the date for May 6, 2023. May 2022, they celebrated their love with their closest family and friends with a fiesta themed engagement party. It was Stacey’s idea of a perfect day; everyone she loved together, making memories and celebrating the love she shared with Joe. While tragically we lost Stacey before her wedding day, there is comfort in knowing she was living the happiest time of her life. Those last few months she was living each day full of excitement, anticipation and joy as she planned every detail of her big day. That last night she went to sleep in the arms of the man she loved filled thoughts of her “always my forever”.

Stacey will be remembered as a once in a lifetime person. Lighting up every room she entered with her bubbly personality, beautiful smile, and her infectious laugh. She had the inept ability to make everyone she encountered feel valued, important, and special. She loved whole heartedly without judgment or conditions. She was the definition of a beautiful soul who exuded enthusiasm and positivity to those around her. She was a treasure to each of us who was lucky enough to love her.

Stacey is survived by the love of her life and fiancé, Joe Ruggiero, her mother, Sue Souza (Steiner), her father, Edward Souza, brother, Eric Souza, sister-in-law, Emily Souza, grandmother and grandfather Lois and Paul Steiner, Joe’s parents Don and Kathy Ruggiero, Joe’s sister, Bridget Ruggiero, her devoted best friend, Afton Usry Papesh and her beloved pooch, Teddy. She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Anthony and Dorothy Souza, and her dearest Gwenny.

It is the presence of an extraordinary person that makes their absence so painful. The loss of Stacey has left an immeasurable void in the lives of those who loved her. While we will mourn the loss of her, we will also celebrate her legacy. Living a life that would make her proud. Choosing joy and making memories each and every day.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Stacey’s name to Relay for Life of Santa Clara: https://secure.acsevents.org/site/STR?pg=personal&fr_id=104504&px=28266794

Livestream Link:

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