Stephania Z Alvey

Stephania Alvey, 79, passed away on December 2, 2015 in Harrah, OK. She was born on April 27, 1936 in Buffalo, NY. Her parents John Henry and Mary (Baron) Zimon had immigrated from Poland so as to give their future children an opportunity for a better life. Stephania was the baby of the family with three older siblings. Her eldest brother, Henry died at 16 and she never knew him very well. Her sister Frances remained in New York, while her brother Vladimir (Mo) moved to California. She was closest to Mo and they were often in touch until his untimely death in 1981. Stephania graduated from East High School in Buffalo in 1953. She worked two jobs while putting herself through college. She received an Associates Degree in Nutrition from Erie County Technical College in 1956. She worked in this industry before leaving Buffalo and moving to Oklahoma.

Walter “Bill”Alvey was the reason for the move. They met through the personals section in the National Enquirer and were pen pals for many months before Stephania’s first trip to OKC in February 1962. She returned again in April 1962 and a week later, they married in Guthrie, Ok. While known in Buffalo as “Steff”, she quickly became, “Stevie,” in Oklahoma.

Their first child, William “Scott” was born in 1966, followed by Steven Patrick in 1967. Kathy Sue, came along in 1970. Motherhood was Stephania’s true calling and what fulfilled her the most. Stephania showered her children with love and attention. She spent tireless hours attending school functions, helping with homework, allowing just about any stray to be added to the ever growing zoo, and indulging the dreams and desires of her precious brood.

Stephania lost Bill in 1975, with all three kids still under the age of 10. She handled single parenting just as she’d handled every past obstacle; with courage, determination, faith and a deep belief in herself. She never remarried but never felt as if she’d missed out on anything.

She was involved in band club for many years, the National Honor Society and held offices in the PTA, including Secretary and then President. She enjoyed participating in fundraising, including organizing craft sale weekends, working the concession stands at football games, cooking breakfasts to raise money and like all moms, walking door to door with those candy bars alongside her kids.

She rejoined the workforce when she felt her kids were old enough to take more responsibility for themselves. She got back into food service and food production for the majority of the remainder of her career.

One of Stephania’s passions was her love of animals, most especially cats, which both she and Kathy treasured together. She enjoyed plants and flowers and had many pots all around the house. While Kathy got the joy of planting bulbs with Mom; it was Scott that spent many seasons growing vegetables in the garden he and Mom planned and prepared together. Stephania enjoyed reading (and watching) mysteries and romances. Her love of Westerns was not lost on Steven and they were able to share Louis L’amour as their own special bond. She also liked to watch a variety of tv programs and each of her kids and grandkids had their own special genre with her. She enjoyed shopping and each of her girls (Kathy, and her daughter-in-law Jennifer) had plenty of good times with her at the mall or local shops.

Stephania and Bill had been avid music lovers together and Stephania never grew tired of relaxing to some good music. She passed this on to her kids and would gather them to hear The Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, The Beatles and so many more talented artists. To her credit, she never judged an artist or band one of her kids liked and supported their individual tastes. As for Stephania, Rod Stewart was her all-time favorite artist and it was one of her greatest joys to see him perform live.

Stephania was blessed with four grandsons. Matthew in 1990, Johnathon in 1992, Brent in 1993, and Michael in 1995. This was probably the happiest phase of her life. Just the sweet enjoyment of giving love without all the responsibility and worry of being a parent. She spent hours reading and making crafts and watching cartoons. She learned all about Pokemon and super heroes and Sonic the Hedgehog, Banjo-Kazooie, Mario and Luigi. She knew every game in the arcade and the locations for all the gaming stores. Christmas, Thanksgiving, Halloween and Easter were all done at “Grammy’s”house, and Grandma’s boys looked forward to spending each one with her. In 2014, she was given the gift of a great-grandson Patrick Alvey which brought her much delight.

Stephania was a fighter, having twice fought breast cancer. She met her foes head on and while some illnesses got her down, it never kept her down for long. She had many foes in her later years, but still kept pushing forward.

She found her joy attending Lifechurch and worshiping Him with song. Coaxed to attend by her grandson Michael, Kathy and Kathy’s boyfriend Reid, she found she loved this new home. She was a caring Christian who believed in prayer. Once when asked to pray for a City Rescue member, she took home a name bracelet, prayed daily and wore it without ceasing, long after the challenge was over. Throughout her life, Stephania’s faith never wavered. She always knew she was a child of God. On December 2nd, he came to call her home. Surrounded by her family, she passed from our loving arms and into His. She was truly unique and loved beyond words.

She was preceded in death by her parents; John and Mary Zimon; husband Walter “Bill” Alvey: brother Henry and Vladimir “Mo” Zimon: sister Frances Wynnchok. She is survived by her children William Scott Alvey: Steven Patrick Alvey and his wife Jennifer and their children Matthew and Brent Alvey and great-grandson Patrick Alvey; daughter Kathy Sue Ury, and her sons Johnathon and Michael Ury.