This is the Stephanie that I knew and had such a long and wonderful friendship with for over 40 years. Stephanie will be missed by so many of her family and friends. I feel so lucky to have had her in my life for all those years!!!

On this day with Stephanie (and the following photo) we were checking out wedding venues for Candace.  I will miss you always! ❤️❤️❤️

Grieving you is the hardest thing I will ever have to endure. But, I understand that with the unbearable pain of accepting this loss is an unmatched love for the world's most devoted and selfless parent. I will have to learn to honor and love you in a different way: to live up to the greatness you exuded, the compassion you shared, and the limitless adventurous spirit you embraced. I hope to have all of those things poured from your soul and infused into mine... to live fully, adventure wildly and to love deeply until I am reunited with you again. 

I wish we could have taken all of those trips we planned once you retired. I am so sad that the entire world did not get a chance to feel your spark. I love you and I miss you terribly. Please visit me in my dreams.

Dear Family:
I was deeply saddened to hear about Stephanie‘s passing. My thoughts are with you all. In remembering my collegial relationship with Stephanie. I reflected back on our many conversations about ‘ family’. It seems that you all were always at the forefront of her mind …and heart. I’m hopeful that memories of her will sustain you during this difficult time and long into the future .Fair winds and following seas Stephanie.
Dennis Wellwood

I am so deeply sorry for your loss. Please accept my most heartfelt condolences.

Steph, was a remarkable woman — full of kindness, warmth, and quiet strength. She had a way of making people feel valued and cared for, no matter their role in her life. To me, she was not only a wonderful leader but also a dear friend and a truly genuine soul.

Her compassion, her laughter, and her unwavering grace left a lasting imprint on all of us who had the privilege to know her. She gave so much of herself to others, and the love she carried will continue to live on through the many lives she touched.

I can only imagine the depth of your grief, and I hope you find comfort in knowing how deeply loved and respected she was. May her memory be a blessing, and may you find moments of peace and healing in the days ahead. 

Rest peacefully in God’s eternal light, Boss Lady. You were truly a blessing on this earth, and now you’re a heavenly one.
❤️🥀

Oh Stephanie! You will be so missed by all of us. Thank you for being so welcoming, warm, loving and caring. May you rest in peace  love you! 
Maria Di Battista

I learned from a colleague that Stephanie recently passed away. Stephanie was an amazing woman who touched others with her bright light and caring nature.  I will always remember her.    My deepest condolences to her  family.

Stephanie and I are cousins, two of twenty, and our far-flung families occasionally got together in large or small gatherings when we were younger.  I always enjoyed our times together, and often wished we didn't live on opposite coasts in our adult years.  The beautiful tributes I read here have been a great comfort and joy, but not really a surprise to learn more about the meaningful life she lived.

Sending peace and love to family, friends and colleagues  as we reckon with the loss of such a beautiful light for everyone she met.  Stephanie's generosity, wisdom, leadership and compassion were who she was, all heart.  As a colleague at VCBH and as her Division Chief, I always appreciated her passion for doing the right thing for "our kids" as well as her passionate support of our staff and the stories of her own family that she loved beyond measure.  You are so missed my dear Stephanie.

To Stephanie my friend…….ALOHA  ❤️Henrietta

My sincere condolences to all of Stephanie's family, friends, and loved ones.

12 years ago, as a therapist right out of graduate school, Stephanie was my first exposure to a Program Director as a full-time staff. Stephanie's leadership still serves as a model for me today, as she led with great passion, humor, and deep wisdom. Stephanie always led by example and never by title. She was just as comfortable overseeing the program that she led as she was operating in the trenches with her team. Stephanie cared deeply about her team and the families we served, and that was always apparent.

Stephanie has left an indelible mark on all those who had the pleasure and honor of working alongside her.  Stephanie will be incredibly missed by all.

My sincere condolences to everyone. Stephanie was a member of our Prayer Warrior group, and our prayer group has conveyed a profound sense of loss, even though they never had the opportunity to meet her. She was consistently among the first to respond to prayer, infusing her words with immense hope.

I know I do not need to remind you of her beauty, but my heart feels compelled to do so.  I met Stephanie at the Village.  She often drove me crazy. She would come into my office and one of the first things I would have to say to her is 'Breath". She was so passionate and quirky.  She had a tremendous heart, filled with love and respect for others. We often reminisced about her lovely mother, her father, her children, and her life with Don.  Her face would light up when she spoke of her family. You all were her heart and soul. She was full of life. I love my friend and am heartbroken. I find peace in knowing that her last days were filled with God's presence and that she felt so blessed by Him. 
I will continue to keep you all in my prayers, as I know that is what she would want. She would desire God's grace, mercy, and healing for all her loved ones. She was truly a special soul, and I will miss her dearly.
With much prayer and love
Liz Raygoza

Stephanie was always there to volunteer for events.  One year we had our Celebrating Children event at the Museum, and she was there to support.

Stephanie played an instrumental role in my growth, not just professionally, but personally. She had a rare gift: she made you feel capable of anything. With just a few words, she could shift your whole sense of what was possible.

She did that for me. Her belief in me helped me believe in myself. She even made it possible for me to fly to Seattle and ride 25 miles through the breathtaking mountain trails, a moment I’ll never forget.

But Stephanie’s impact reached far beyond me. The love and care she showed the families we served was unmatched. She stayed late to ensure their needs were met, never cutting corners when it came to compassion. As a supervisor, she led not with ego, but with heart, opening her home to staff for beautiful dinners that made us feel valued and seen.

Years ago, she gave me a book called "The Tree That Survived the Winter."  It remains one of my most cherished possessions. Like her, it carries quiet wisdom, deep roots, and enduring grace.

What an extraordinary woman. She changed lives.
She will be deeply missed.

So devastating to hear the news of Stephanie’s passing.  I worked with her at Phoenix Airport School and she was such an amazing boss. So incredibly understanding and generous! My heart goes out to her family who she raved about and would light up anytime she talked about her kids or grand babies. May the great comforter give peace to her family and strength during this difficult time. To be absent in body is to be present with the Lord.

I am floored! What an amazing woman. I worked with Stephanie at Sycamores in the Wraparound and other programs.  Her heart was so big, full of compassion for others. She was so supportive during my pregnancy. It was so nice to see her vaca postings on FB with her family and friends. 

My deepest condolences to the family.

Dear Family, 
I’m keeping you in my thoughts and prayers and asking for strength and peace to surround you during this difficult time.  I had the pleasure of working with Stephanie at Hathaway-Sycamores, and she was always a sweet, caring, and generous person.  Her spirituality shown through her compassion and her dedication to the families we served.  I always enjoyed hearing her stories about her trips to Belize.  Thank you, Stephanie, for your warm smile, open heart, and the way you made others feel seen and supported. You’ll be truly missed.

I met Stephanie through her work at Ventura County Behavioral Health @ Phoenix School (Camarillo Airport), among other VCBH clinic sites.  She was a well liked Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) instructor.  Extremely energetic, enthusiastic, and appreciative of the First Responder students.  She even baked them cookies.  She was unwavering in her devotion to the clients she and her team represented.  For these reasons, she was recognized by the CIT Program Office in 2021 through the Susan Luckey - Mental Health Professional Award.  She was a one of a kind clinic administrator who relentlessly put others first.  She will be missed as a great example of what a clinical supervisor should strive to be.

Dear Family,
I am so sorry for your loss of Stephanie.  I knew her and worked with her many years at Hathaway-Sycamores.  She was the most lovely and thoughtful person.  Words cannot express how much I grieve for your loss.
With Love to you,
Andi Sica

Stephanie was my supervisor at Hathaway-Sycamores.  She cared so much about the kids and families we served as well as the staff.  She had a big heart and a passion for helping.  She had so much love for her own family and was so proud of her kids and grandkids.  I loved hearing of all her adventures with her husband traveling and sailing.

OBITUARY

Stephanie Diane Cowie

March 22, 1954 – July 12, 2025

Gates, Kingsley & Gates Praiswater Mortuary

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services