With Love, In Celebration of Stacey

Stacey meant everything to us. Her loss is overwhelming for me, for our children, and for everyone lucky enough to have known her.

She carried her pain with quiet strength, always shielding others from it. On the evening she passed, a Greek Orthodox priest visited. Stacey lit up when she heard him speak her language. When he asked about her faith, she smiled and said, “My religion is love.” That was Stacey, pure love in motion. She gave it freely and fiercely to her family, her students, her friends.

I still remember the first moment I saw her, she had this spark, this unmistakable light, this magnetic energy. I knew instantly. Her parents welcomed me like family, and together Stacey and I built a life filled with love, laughter, and strong values that now live on in our children. Their courage today is because of her.

In her final moments, she described seeing a blue boat with Christos rocking it, Lukas trying to climb in, and Stacey telling him to stay out. The kids may not love that image, but it was so her: magical, deeply loving, and always protective.

I held her hand until the end. She left this world exactly as she lived, graceful, strong, and smiling. Stacey faced death with the same courage and love she brought to every part of her life. She had faith in her doctors, and above all, in her family.

In 32 years together, we never had a real fight. She made everyone around her better, and no one smiled like Stacey. It wasn’t just her expression, it was in her eyes, her heart, her soul. You felt it.

Myself, Christos, Sophia, and Lukas have been lifted by the incredible love from friends, family, and everyone who knew her. Thank you for standing with us, and for being part of Stacey’s beautiful story.

We still catch ourselves waiting for her to walk through the door, with the smile that lit up the world.

With all our love,
Kirk