Stephanie Anne Martin

Stephanie Anne Martin, lovingly called “Steph” by her many friends, passed away on Thursday, the 21st of May 2020, in Houston, in her parents' home, in the arms of her mother and with her father and her beloved sister Paige nearby. She was 45 years of age.

Steph lived a joyous life. She was a loving and caring person who touched the lives of everyone she knew in her life cut short by cancer.

Steph was born in Houston on the 31st of January 1975, the second of two children of Kay and Clark Martin, joining her older sister, Paige, as part of a very close-knit family.

Steph came into our world with a smile on her face, an infectious laugh, a mischievous sense of humor, and an adventuresome outlook. She was generous, understanding, and a bright light to all. These characteristics were ever-present and shone through until the very end of her journey.

Stephanie's friends were the hallmark of her life. Her life was full of loyal friends that she collected at all her stops. Steph's friends enriched her life and made her adventures even greater.

She gathered her first set of lifelong friends at Poe Elementary School. After Poe, Steph attended Lanier and then Lamar in Houston, adding new friends to the pack along the way. After high school, Steph went to the University of Arizona in Tucson. Steph found a great crew when she pledged Kappa Kappa Gamma and the many other college friends with whom she stayed close for the remainder of her life.

Upon graduation from the University of Arizona, Steph, and a few friends moved to San Francisco and, over time, she lived in various spots in or around the marina in the city. What started as the Arizona crew grew to include what seemed like most of San Francisco. Steph had many adventures in and around the bay area with all these great friends over the years. While living in San Francisco, Steph initially worked at two different investment firms, and later began working at Wells Capital Management, where she worked until her death. She calls these colleagues friends as well.

Steph was first diagnosed with breast cancer when she was thirty years old. She was treated in Houston, and then returned to San Francisco to live cancer-free for ten years. She never let cancer rule her life. In fact, she rarely disclosed it was an issue. When cancer came back in 2014, Steph relentlessly sought treatments and focused 100% on her health and wellness, while still enjoying her life and not letting the illness take over. She always had hope, and her fearlessness in all things was reflected in her fierce battle. Steph was the bravest person we know.

Steph remained true to her compassion for others throughout her ordeal. Even in the last months, she never complained and was continually thinking of others. Steph's last words were to comfort her family.

After friends and family, Steph's priority was adventure. Steph parachuted out of an airplane and camped in freezing weather in Yosemite. She went on many trips with her family, creating wonderful memories visiting places such as Russia, Africa, China, London, Rome, and Paris. She was always traveling with her friends to beautiful locations, including trips to many spots in Mexico, to Cuba, Amsterdam, Greece, and hiking through the southwest. Steph was particularly fond of spending time at Lake Tahoe. She also ran marathons around San Francisco and other scenic spots such as Hawaii and Big Sur. She even tried her hand at triathlons for a time too.

Steph's other kind of adventure was fun! Her friends can all tell tales of adventures and hijinks they had with Steph. She had a smile on her face in every scenario and being with friends just added to the magic. It was impossible to have a bad time in her warm presence.

We will treasure our memories and the stories you all have from your time with Steph. It is impossible to capture all of the wonderfulness of Steph in these words.

Her loving heart continued to shine through last week, as she reached out to comfort us and to tell us how much she loved us. It is unimaginable to think of her not here with us. We are grateful that we had 45 years with her and that she was ours.

Steph's family wishes to thank the multitude of friends who have stood by her and supported her in all her life's endeavors and throughout this journey with cancer. Steph was able to visit longtime friends during the lockdown over the past months outside at a safe distance. She was still talking to many friends on the phone up until last week. If you had heard her end of the conversation, you would never have known she was not feeling well.

Steph will be missed by all who loved her. She will always be remembered by the meaningful impact she has had on the many lives she touched. May her smile and her laugh forever be etched in our minds. May her memory be a blessing to all.

Steph is survived by her sister, Paige Martin; and by her parents, Kay and Clark Martin; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

We are grateful to UCSF, particularly Dr. Hope Rugo, for taking care of Steph. We are especially appreciative to Compassus Hospice and the loving care of Millie and Carla, who made the last few months more comfortable for Steph.

A memorial service is to be conducted at two o’clock in the afternoon on Friday, the 18th of September 2020, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston. Those who are unable to attend will be able to access the service via Facebook Live by selecting the "Join Livestream" icon in the "Livestream Service" box below. (Kindly note that a Facebook account is required for access.)

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent grand foyer.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed to UCSF (https://makeagift.ucsf.edu/) University of California San Francisco); Wig Out (www.wigout.org); Edgewood Center for Children and Families (www.edgewood.org); or to the charity of one's choice. Steph held these organizations close to her heart.