Stephanie Fahnestock

Stephanie Fahnestock passed away peacefully on Monday, 2 March 2026 at the age of 58. She was born on 12 October 1967 in Kansas City, Mo where she grew up with her loving parents George and Laura Burch along with her sister Suzanne.

After graduating from Winnetonka High School, Stephanie started her career by serving in the United States Navy from 1987 to 1991 as a jet mechanic working on T-2 aircraft while assigned to Naval Air Station Kingsville TX. As a woman in the Navy, she was breaking barriers in a male dominated profession.

She married her husband, Michael who was also in the Navy, in 1989. She followed Michael in his military career across the world, while she worked as an administrative assistant for many different Commanding Officers at various military duty stations. Her final move brought her to Orlando, Fl where she was employed at Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division as a Business Financial Manager for numerous Navy aircraft simulator programs. After 30 plus years of combined military and government service, Stephanie retired in 2021.

At home Stephanie was an animal lover and doting dog mom who loved and nurtured all her fur-babies: Jake, Rex, Riley, and Shirley as they were part of the family. She enjoyed riding horses, spending time on the water including fishing, shooting guns and playing ping-pong. She loved her morning coffee sessions by the pool, caring for her azaleas for that springtime bloom, and she was always looking forward to the latest Daniel Steele Book. She also loved watching the seasons of “The Voice” and figure skating competitions on TV. Stephanie had a diverse taste in music and loved everything from opera to 80’s hair metal bands.

Stephanie always lit up a room with her beautiful smile and was known for her signature look of curly hair which she nurtured during her Sunday evening rituals that she called “Night of Beauty”.

Stephanie is survived by her loving husband Michael, son Matthew, daughter in law Kristin, and grandchildren Gwen and Chase as well as her mother Laura, nephew Joseph and niece Samantha. She is preceded by her father, George and sister Suzanne.

A celebration of life is scheduled on 21 March 2026, 11:00am - 1:00pm at Oviedo on the Park in the Cultural Center:

357 Center Lake Lane

Oviedo, FL 32765

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in their honor to Chaps Therapeutic Horseback Riding at www.chapscenter.com