Stephanie Boyd Karanickolas was born October 21, 1968. She was a kind, loving, vivacious woman, beautiful and generous beyond measure. Anyone who knew her was immediately drawn to her bubbly, fun loving and gentle heart. She graduated from Brea Olinda High School in 1986 and continued her education at UCI, where she majored in theater arts. She went on, at the age of 19, to own and teach at her own studio, Brea Dance Center for the next 20 years of her life. When her grandfather passed away 5 years ago, she lovingly moved her mother into her home to care for her. Her mother has since been diagnosed with Alzheimer's and Stephanie took on that challenge, no questions asked. Stephanie was diagnosed early on with a heart condition that would one day require a valve replacement, as well as four years ago, she was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis as well as an interstitial lung disease. Because of these underlying conditions, she was denied any type of life insurance. She had many medical expenses and for this reason needed to continue to work and teach dance in addition to raising her family and caring for her ailing mother. On March 22, Stephanie went home to be with her Lord and Savior. It was sudden and unexpected as she took good care of herself. She leaves behind her husband Tom, her two sons Drew and Dylan, her puppy Maximus and her mother Carol. On behalf of the Karanickolas family, we are asking that if you would like to donate in order to help pay for any medical expenses, as well as funeral expenses, it would be greatly appreciated. No donation is too big or too small. If you are unable to donate we ask you please keep Stephanie's family in your thoughts and prayers. She was a bright light who brought so much love and joy to so many lives. She is so very loved and profoundly missed already. Thank you so much and may God bless you.

-Jenny