I was her esthetician.  I miss her. She tried to make her appointments up until the end. She was the best. Always coming in with a story and scratches on her hands and arms from the cats she was giving shots to. She said I could come and see her after she went into hospice but it was too close from when my sister had passed. When she came in for her facials, she would always have some blue random lint on her face.  The oddest thing. No scarfs…coat. But most likely I would still find blue lint on her face. We laughed about the mystery. The other day a client came in and I picked a piece of blue lint off her face….I almost started crying. I hope she resting in peace. She was an amazing person and I’m just happy I got to spend time with her every month for 2 years.

I have just learned of Stephanie's passing and I wanted to share that I knew her to be a wonderfully caring person. I worked with a teen who was getting kicked out of their home because of their gender identity and with Stephanie's help we were able to find a temporary foster for their cat so the kid didn't lose their pet in addition to dealing with living in the shelter system. Stephanie worked it out to help reunite the cat with the teen.  I am sure there are so many more stories like this. She brought so much good to this world. Stephanie, I believe so many beloved pets are welcoming you to the other side. May you be exalted for your life of kindness.

To Stephanie’s family and Tony,

I am so sorry to hear of her passing nearly two months ago. We volunteered together for many years and she was always my cats favorite sitter when I was out of town. She would dress them up in little costumes for each holiday - I have no idea how she did it since I could never get them to cooperate. Additionally, she always had a witty response when I was feeling down to made me feel better, as she was a lovely, empathetic individual. I wish I had been able to pay my respects in person, but please know I will think of her often and she is deeply missed. 

Bridget Sweeny  + Felix and Shareen

I never met Stephanie and only knew of her through her loving partner, Tony (we were high school classmates attending Father Duenas Memorial School, Guam -- Class of 1981).

Hey brother, I am truly sorry about hearing of this tremendous loss. 

Hang in there and be strong for not only for yourself but for Stephanie's family and close friends.

Yesterday was a wonderful opportunity to begin to heal. Thank you all for organizing; and for including me. 

I would love to re-read what other speakers said—to take time considering everyone's words. If people would like to post what they said, I would welcome it. 

Here, if it's helpful, is what I said—with one added thought that I did not share yesterday...

"Dann and I are among the many who knew Steph not only as a friend but as a beloved cat-sitter. We were also among the lucky beneficiaries of photos she took of the cats with little holiday props; the photo of our Martin in a Pilgrim hat over Thanksgiving was an instant classic. 

It was always clear to me that Stephanie could do anything—so smart, so capable. I think she spent her life ascertaining what she did and did not want to do, what did or did not speak to her soul, and acting accordingly—a highly decent way to live, and one that led her to a legacy of tremendous impact in charitable causes. 

The only way I can figure to process this terrible and shocking and untimely loss is to try to internalize Stephanie. In her honor, we can all aim to be a little smarter, a little funnier, a little more reliable, and maybe a lot more charitable. 

Steph, I will always love you and be grateful for your friendship. Please give Martin a hug for me. I'll see you both on the flip side." 

Here is what I did not say yesterday but have been thinking about. When I saw Steph last December, she told me all about her cancer diagnosis and treatment. She knew I'd had bc too, and we talked about it for a long time. 

However, when she had a recurrence...not a word. 

My understanding is that, as last year, she wanted to wait till she had the upper hand on the situation before discussing it. 

And I want to say: When a person dies of cancer, the cancer also dies, almost immediately. It is gone; it's nothing. But the person's legacies live forever. You vanquished that cancer, Stephanie. It is gone; but you remain.

Oh man, this one hit me hard. We got to know Stephanie as a cat-sitter for our backyard clan, but she quickly became an indispensable source of support, joy, and humor for me as I found my footing in Brooklyn life. I'm only now understanding the size of the impact she's has had on me. 

Stephanie, I hope this finds you frolicking in the meadows over the rainbow bridge, in the company of your beloved Phillip the Cat. Please give Black Cat, Mr. Grey, El Blobbo, and Mama Cat extra treats from us. We will miss you here.

With great love,
Daniel, Duane, Rufus, Scotty, Fuzzy, Black & White Cat, Turtle, Capuchin, and Cosmo

Dearest Tony & the Wissinger Family,

We loved that Stephanie loved baking and cats, two of our favorite things as well, and took pride in our Leo birthday sisterhood! Our deepest sympathies, with glitter dust ocean blue mermaid cake and champagne fountain memories. 

Love  Sabine & Delphine and meows Miles Davis.

We were so very sorry to hear of Stephanie’s passing. She took such great care of our cats for so many years, bringing them treats and bubbles and dressing them up in holiday costumes just to give us a laugh. We had no idea she was sick - and she was visiting our cats as recently as the end of October. We are so fortunate to have found such a wonderful person who went from cat sitter to friend almost immediately. I wish we could have shared a few more glasses of Lambrusco together. Sending love and light to her family and close friends. 

Ashley, Bryn, Cricket & Mackeral

Stephanie was such an earth angel, and has saved so many lives—I feel very fortunate that I got to meet her and know her through cat rescue with Little Wanderers. She was such a fearless champion of kitties everywhere, and was integral in the rescue of a few sets of my fosters. 
And I will never forget her amazing personality and charm. Her dedication and care were only met by her intelligence and wit. I always love meeting a fellow "never-at-a-loss-for-words" friend. 
I'm sending my eternal gratitude to Stephanie, and heartfelt condolences to her loved ones. May you find healing and peace in her most excellent and beautiful memory. ❤️

I knew Stephanie for 40 years and it was too short a time.    James Lang and  I met up with her a few years ago at McSorleys on a quiet rainy night and we reviewed our lives up to that point and after James and I went first, she put her cards on the table about the cancer and the chemo and how it was in remission.    We then went for Indian food and said we have to do this again, we have to do this again, and then we didn’t.     I am very sorry I won’t be able to make it to the memorial and the drink up and I hope that if we do do this again, we do do it.   God bless everybody and especially Antonio and  Stephanie’s family.   Thank you for sharing her with us.   - Pete Maloney

I'm so very sorry to hear of Stephanie's passing. I only got to know her over the past 2 years through Little Wanderers and I wish I knew her longer. She was a remarkable caretaker to animals and a great wealth of knowledge.  Her sharp wit, sense of humor and ability to diffuse rough situations were some of her many special traits.  Both animals and humans lost a special soul.  My deepest condolences, Teri Vera

I am truly sad for the loss of such a beautiful, funny and witty friend.  My deepest condolences to her family, her partner and all the people that were touched by Stephanie's aura.  Even though, during the last few years life pulled me away from her, I will always fondly remember the good times we had.  I am sure that now she will continue to be the light of the party in heaven.  
Rest In Peace.
Rodrigo

I was deeply saddened to hear that we had lost Stephanie.  I send my sincere condolences to Tony, Anne Louise and all her loved ones and dear friends.  Stephanie and I were close friends in college at Columbia and remained in touch afterwards through mutual friends.  She was a cohering force, always up for adventure.  She faced challenges by embracing absurdity and finding hilarity in them.  We lived in the same small suite in Ruggles Hall on 114th St. during sophomore year, landing there due to very bad dorm lottery numbers.  Stephanie bravely chose a room that was closet-size, with a bed on top of a built-in desk and dresser module.  She never complained about it and rather made it her own quirky, cozy space.  Her against-the-grain flair enlivened all her worlds, from cake-baking to music-making (with her accordion), to cat-naming (I can claim to have helped her decide on General Tso, or “the General”). I remember her trusted honesty as a friend.  She was with me sitting on the steps of Low Library in the fall of senior year when I experienced a rare life-epiphany:  I said to her, “I don’t think I want to go to law school.”  And she said, “Well then, why are you applying to law school?” Her question confirmed my instincts, and I went directly to the Dean’s office to apply for an academic project that set me on my preferred path.  I trust that Stephanie’s robust spirit, which was ever open to all possibilities, will continue to guide everyone who knew her.

Anne Louise,
So sorry to hear about Stephanie’s passing. She was way too young. I fondly remember our play dates on Fourth Street. May she rest in Peace. Cathy

Our enormous condolences and love to the friends and family of Stephanie Wissinger who brought zoomies, bubbles, holiday-appropriate head gear and so much love to our cats Watson and Kanga. Who never ever missed a beat in text messages over politics music books travel or the absurdity and beauty of life. Who was dear to all of us and in a New York way also a bit of a mystery. We were all native New Yorkers so the city intimacy/anonymity made perfect sense. We did not know she was sick - and she was visiting our cats in late October. We are so grateful to have crossed paths and grieve that such a bright bright bright light isn’t shining in our precinct anymore. Sending wishes for peace and ease to Tony, who featured in our text threads in fond and lovely ways, and to  her beloved family of origin. Love Watson Kanga and their human family Emily Liam Sebastian and Clyde

Thinking of you Tony and your lovely partner Stephanie. I'm so sorry for your loss! I didn't know Stephanie well but always enjoyed seeing the two of you together and all the good energy she always gave off... I had no idea that she was at the helm of a cat shelter! What a gem! And of course, who could forget her amazing cakes... Sending you lots of love 
(come visit us)
Nancy Drew

Bonding over both of our names being Stephanie. She taught me everything about rescue, care, and even life lessons.

Stephanie was a trusted cat sitter for years for me, and helped me immensely when my cats were ill. She took my cat Lucky for cancer treatments during days where I had to work and couldn't take him. She was a bright light and her caring, loving nature oozed out of her. She did nothing but good in this world - immutable good whose impact will never fade. I remain forever grateful for Stephanie. She made a difference in this life - and left the world a better place that she found it.

I have so many memories of Steph! So many years! She was always so sweet& smart, kind and funny! She always always had a smile for me! She added so much to the Freddy’s community- she will be deeply missed! All my deepest condolences-

One of my favorite Stephanie memories is walking past an escalator that was under repair, with the inner workings exposed. Stephanie  spent less than a minute looking at it, but she was absorbing everything she saw. Whereas I might peer,  the way she peered, through an  oven door window at cookies baking inside, Stephanie was equally mesmerized by the pulleys and levers and science and physics. “Oh,” she said quietly, “I’ve always wondered.”

     That said, ohhhhhh, that said, that very same night at a midtown Italian restaurant, our science-loving Stephanie and I talked about church attendance. This was at least 20 years ago, so a lot may have changed. 
       But two decades ago, over some wine, Stephanie revealed that she kept going to Mass just in case there was a God and  just in case this God included attendance as part of the final grade.
     I was astounded. But she took my jaw drop in stride and said something like “never hurts to hedge one’s  bets,”
      Stephanie, God texted me earlier and confirmed that  you were a shoo-in from the start.  
      Love to everyone whose life Stephanie touched.

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Stephanie Wissinger

11 août 1965 – 15 novembre 2023

Joseph G. Duffy

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