Birth date: Sep 29, 1976 Death date: Sep 26, 2016
Stephanie B. McDermott (nee Bonafide) passed away peacefully on Monday, September 26, 2016, at her residence in Moorestown surrounded by her family after a courageous 3 year battle with cancer. Beloved wife to Sean J. McDermott an Read Obituary
Lots of great memories, from VIS to IC, very tragic and Our prayers are with you Steph and your family, you will not be forgotten.
Rocky DeCarlo & Family
Stephanie was my first friend in grade school. We played with our Barbie dolls, cabbage patch kids and stuffed animals. We played soccer together for a few seasons and participated in girl scouts at an early age. I loved hanging out with her and must have slept over at her house dozens of times. She always made me laugh and she would always speak her mind. Her dad built her a tree house in her backyard and we would go up into it and make our own forts. We would walk down to the corner drug store and buy as much candy as we could get and then head back and just play. There were many Halloweens that we spent together and as we grew into adolescents we played volleyball, basketball and were a part of the cheerleading squad at Visitation. The greatest part of our friendship was that we enjoyed and supported each other, laughed at our own faults and didn't have a problem letting others know what we thought. We both had a little spitfire in us and this always made for an entertaining time.
I watched how at such a young age all the boys were chasing her because she was so pretty, confident and kind. I remember that her first boyfriend was Brian Wagner. He would run around after her and she was always one step ahead of him. The three of us would play together at different parks and when Brian would get flustered by Stephanie he would ask me for advise. There wasn't any advise I could give him other than to say Stephanie was strong minded and knew how she wanted to live her life. It was really cute. I think she broke several boys hearts throughout grade school and high school because she was such a vibrant girl. Stephanie was always competitive and excelled when it came to playing sports. When her sister Emily was born, I would babysit her when needed. I always felt at home at the Bonafides household and they always cherished and embraced me for being me. When we moved on to high school together we saw each other growing up and supported each other with what our interests were.
During college and after a few years out of college we would laugh at our childhood memories. The first time I met her husband Sean, I knew he was the one for her. There was something different about her and I watched her glow with happiness, joy, love and grace. It was obvious that they were meant for each other and I was so touched watching them interact with one another. Stephanie had found her perfect partner in life-her puzzle piece that fit her.
At the funeral for her father, I met her son Jack and I saw how incredible of a mother Stephanie was to him. She was so attentive, loving, caring, kind and unconditional with her devotion to him and Sean. It was at this time that I found out that Stephanie was battling a terminal cancer. I was mesmerized watching her interact with everyone. She had this beautiful glow about her and exuded happiness for all that she had. She never complained or got down. She refused to let anything bring her down.
I am so blessed to have had her in my life. I am so sad to see her go but I know she is up there watching over all of us. Steph, do me one favor, while you are in heaven tell Brian thank you for giving me Mike....now we have two guardian angels watching over us.
Love,
Becky Lawton Wagner
Stephanie was a beautiful person - inside and out. I got to know her when I taught Jack in preschool. She was a warm, caring, loving and good-natured person. Her deep devotion to Jack and Sean was evident every day. It is an indescribable feeling knowing she is gone. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. May time and memories erase some of the pain and ease your sorrow, Sean and family. With love, prayers and condolences......Maria Donohue
Truly shocking. You will be missed...plenty of memories from high school. Condolences from Marc Glanville and Family!
Words cannot express how difficult it is to say goodbye to Stephanie. Thinking back of all the times we had with classmates at Visitation and ICHS in Elmhurst are moments that we all still hold very dear in our hearts. She always made us laugh and we were there to encourage one another through both good times and bad. I am forever grateful to know Steph was part of my life and helped me come out of my shell and believe in myself. Your memory is always with us and you will be truly missed! Love, Pete Zamar & Family
I WILL ALWAYS MISS MY NEICE STEPHANIE SHE HAD A WONDERFUL LAUGH AND A GOOD PERSON SAY A FEW PRAYERS FOR MY SISTER NANCY , ITS NOT FAIR
Steph was my dear friend at Visitation grade school. I will always remember her as the life of the party with a great giggling laugh. My condolences to her wonderful mother Nancy.
Kerry (Medema) Slone
What can you say about someone who shared so much of their heart with openness and joy? You can say they were special. And they were...you can say they made a difference. And they did. You can say they'll never be forgotten. And they won't. They'll live on forever. In our memories. And most of all, in our hearts. Stephanie will be missed, and remembered, with so much love.
With our deepest Condolences,
James and Deborah Stanko
