Stephanie Economides was born February 22, 1944 and passed away Tuesday January 27, 2015 at the age of 70. Stephanie was with family when she passed at the Kaiser Permanente hospital in Irvine, California. She was a non smoker who was a victim of lung cancer. Stephanie is survived by her husband Demetre, daughter Katina, son in law Brian, and granddaughters Lauren and Kate.

Stephanie had pets in her life that she considered just as much as family as another child. She loved animals and the feeling was mutual. You could find Stephanie every single morning at the park with her dog, Rocky. Everywhere she went she would make friends, including the park.

Stephanie was born in Brooklyn, New York, the second child of two children of Stephen Tomaszkiewicz and Ksenia Spiak. Her sister Eva was also a huge part of her childhood since she was her older sister by 11 years. Stephanie was considered a "cool" aunt to her niece and nephews. Stephanie completed her high school and undergraduate studies in New York and began working in the corporate world. She started working in advertising and then in the corporate banking industry for over 25 years, next for a publishing company for 8 years, and finally for Macy's. All being in Orange County, California. Stephanie would always reflect on how she wanted to be a fashion buyer because of her passion for fashion industry but life took her on a different path.

Stephanie and Demetre met in New York, and were married. They have been together for 45 years and first lived in Vancouver, Canada before moving to Los Angeles, Fountain Valley, and finally in 1980, settling in Laguna Hills, CA. Their lives were largely defined by Katina's athletic activities. Stephanie made a point to work part time when Katina was a teenager so that she could be the one to take her to all her activities. She was so dedicated to her daughter, she never missed a swim meet from her daughters early years through college.

Stephanie's granddaughters, Lauren and Kate have been a great source of pleasure and hope through her last year of pain and therapy. Stephanie loved her granddaughters immensely and could never get enough time with them. Her eldest granddaughter, Lauren's, favorite times were simply at the park with Yia Yia (which is how the girls refer to their maternal Grandma). Little Kate was just getting to know Yia Yia and Stephanie would always say that Kate reminded her of her daughter. Stephanie looked forward to seeing the girls grow.

Stephanie was a light when she would walk into a room. Her personality was entertaining, her straightforwardness and honest approach was refreshing. Most importantly she had a heart of gold. She always put others before herself and would do anything for her family. Stephanie was sincere and compassionate.

Stephanie always told Katina "Think of me when you are in Catalina, once I am gone," this is a promise. Catalina was truly Stephanie's little piece of heaven on earth. It seems much too soon for her to go but her family finds peace in the thought that she is freed from her suffering.

Services will be held February 6, 2015 at Saint Paul's Greek Orthodox Church in Irvine at 11:00 AM and will be followed by the procession to the Pacific View Memorial Park and Mortuary in Corona Del Mar. Please join us for a Celebration of Stephanie's life at Saint Paul's Community hall following the service at Pacific View Memorial Park and Mortuary.

In lieu of flowers please give to your favorite charity in memory of Stephanie Economides.