Stephanie (Pep)

August 23, 2013, is the day our lives changed forever. Our daughter Stephanie (Pep) Bader was diagnosed with Glioblastoma (brain cancer) at the age of 11. She fought for 20 months before the disease took her life on May 1, 2015. We were blessed to have her for 13 years, and she touched and inspired so many people’s lives along the way. The quality of her life far outweighed the quantity of time in which she lived. Her beautiful smile was contagious and captured the hearts of thousands of people. Even though her disease presented her with so many physical challenges, she had more strength and courage than any of us ever realized. She taught us that every day is a blessing and an opportunity to create lasting memories. Stephanie was very creative and enjoyed dancing, singing, listening to music, cheerleading, reading and trips to Disney with her family. She also loved spending time at the beach and watching the beautiful sunsets. Dolphins made her happy and she dreamed of becoming a marine biologist some day. We love and miss her so much and still can’t believe she’s gone. We will cherish the memories we shared and will always try to live like “Pep.” She left us with a message: “Be the best you can be, Be happy, and Live a life full of hope!”

Thank you to Tom Mitchell for always remembering Stephanie and for once again carrying her with him as he runs the Moab 240 miles for our children! He is truly an amazing man!