Stephanie Leigh "Steph" Prysnuk

1990 - 2022  (32 years)

• Name	Stephanie Leigh "Steph" Prysnuk
  Born	22 Jan 1990
  Gender	Female
  Name	Steph Prysnuk
  Eby ID Number	Waterloo-226058
  Died	1 May 2022	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  Buried	Williamsburg Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  Person ID	I226058	Generations
  Last Modified	1 Dec 2024

  
  

  Father	Wayne Prysnuk,   b. 31 Mar 1951,   d. 20 Apr 1998  (Age 47 years)
  Mother	Barb
  Family ID	F61661	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Notes

  Lifetimes: Steph Prysnuk had an extraordinary ability to connect with others By Valerie Hill Special to Waterloo Region Record Special to Waterloo Region Record When doctors told Steph Prysnuk there was nothing more they could do for her congenital heart condition, she accepted the news but wasn't about to go down without a monumental display of generosity. "In true Steph style, she went to bed feeling sad and woke up with a plan," said friend Wendy Newbery. "She responded to her challenges with ways to make things better." That plan was to hold a fundraiser for the Canadian Congenital Heart Alliance. Unfortunately, Steph died at age 31 on May 1, 2022, three weeks before the fundraiser and it was her friends, the crew she called her Dream Team, who made it happen. The team was a group of more than a dozen people who pledged to help care for Steph and included retired nurses, teachers and others, people who loved and wanted to support the young woman. "The group said, 'We're going to make it happen,' " recalled Wendy. And they did, raising more than $12,000. Steph was born Jan. 22, 1990, with congenital heart disease, developmental delays and physical challenges, issues that rather than holding her back fuelled her desire to live a rich life and bring everyone else along for the ride. Wendy was her independent facilitator, someone who helps people with disabilities achieve their goals. As a youngster, Steph was helped by KidsAbility, an organization that helps children with special needs, where she gained skills and confidence. Steph was accepting of her condition, candidly describing herself as a person with special needs when chatting with a Record reporter in 2012. But those limitations, if you could call them that given her achievements, never defined Steph. She became a talented photographer, selling her images on note cards. She took up bowling, yoga, dance, travel, baking, researching on her laptop and she sang with Crescendo, the Waterloo Region District School Board's special education choir. Her colleagues at the Waterloo Region Family Network noted Steph had an indefinable quality that made her stand out - her positivity and ability to connect with people She had been introduced to the network through a work experience program, starting as a volunteer in 2009 and eventually becoming a part-time staff person. Steph had also been a volunteer in high school, helping other special-needs students cope with the demands of high school and life. Above all, she was their unrelenting cheerleader. It was tough to feel sad or lonely or disheartened when Steph was around. "When I think of Steph, I think of her infectious smile, her amazing sense of humour and her adventurous spirit," recalled Sue Simpson, the Family Network executive director. "She spread kindness and positivity wherever she went and to everyone who was fortunate to meet her." Steph was a role model for others, proof of what could be accomplished regardless of limitations. Steph received many awards for all her work volunteering and mentoring other young people with disabilities, including the Duke of Edinburgh International Award and, in 2013, an Oktoberfest Women of Year youth award. "She had a real social gift," said Wendy. "It was important to her to be central to friends, her church, her neighbourhood." Steph was only eight and her sister, Beth, was just 11 when their father Wayne died, said her mom, Barb Prysnuk. "Growing up without their dad was not easy," she recalled. "It was just the three of us for many years." In 2017, Barb married Fred Schat, who came with 31 new family members for Steph to love. Beth lived in the same triplex where Steph had her own apartment. She said her little sister would often have meals ready when Beth arrived home. If Beth was late, Steph would have packed it up to take away. Her independence \emdash living on her own, cooking, taking care of herself \emdash was all possible because of her family, the Dream Team and Steph's own determination. "She had a lot of things she wanted to do and adapted tasks so she could be independent," said Beth. Everything Steph did was measured and planned, Wendy added. "She always said, 'Baby steps,' " recalled Wendy. "She didn't charge headlong into anything." Steph was highly organized, kept everyone around her organized and wasn't afraid to speak her mind. About a year and a half ago, Steph started feeling lethargic and unwell. The doctors delivered the unsettling news: her condition was terminal and treatment was palliative. But as her mom pointed out, Steph would go into a decline then rally. She wasn't ready to go, at least not until that fundraiser was arranged. "She'd written pages and pages of what she wanted to happen," said Barb. "Including the celebration (afterwards)." The dozens of hearts plastered all over the lawn and apartment windows at Steph's place are still there. They remain, like the memory and the many contributions of this extraordinary young woman. Valerie Hill is a former Record reporter. She can be reached by email at vmhill296@gmail.com. "Lifetimes: Steph Prysnuk Had An Extraordinary Ability To Connect With Others". 2022. Therecord.Com. https://www.therecord.com/life/2022/06/13/lifetimes-steph-prysnuk-had-an-extraordinary-ability-to-connect-with-others.html. _____________ Steph Prysnuk Monday, January 22nd, 1990 - Sunday, May 1st, 2022 Prysnuk, Stephanie Leigh Passed away peacefully at St. Mary's Hospital, surrounded by her family on Sunday, May 1, 2022, at age 32. Beloved daughter and step-daughter of Barb Prysnuk-Schat (Fred Schat). Predeceased by her dad Wayne in 1998. Well loved sister of Beth (Jordan). Loving step-sister of Sean (Mel), Lara (Jeremy), Aaron (Kim), Jonathon (Yvette), Adam (Cathenia). Special aunt to 17 nieces and nephews. Dearly missed by her extended family and friends, Dream Team, Fab Five and Gourmet 2.0. Steph was born with congenital heart disease and developmental delays, as well as physical challenges. However, she didn't let these challenges define who she was. It's how she lived her life that made her special. Steph was a lifelong member of Knox Waterloo and volunteered in their Logos program. She was both an employee and volunteer at the Waterloo Region Family Network. Steph also loved singing and signing in the Waterloo Region Crescendo Choir. Steph had a number of hobbies among which were working on jigsaw puzzles, researching on her laptop and baking. She excelled at taking photographs and created beautiful notecards for others to enjoy. Steph loved being connected with family and friends. She leaves a legacy of love, honesty, humour and generosity. Special thanks to Dr. Jagas and to the medical and support staff at SickKids, Toronto General and St. Mary's. And special thanks to Steph's amazing support workers. Cremation has taken place. The funeral will take place on Tuesday, May 10, 2022, at 11a.m. at Knox Presbyterian Church, 50 Erb St. W., Waterloo. Masks are required. For those unable to attend the service, you are invited to watch the service via live-stream at https://www.youtube.com/knoxwaterloo. A private family interment will follow at Williamsburg Cemetery, 1541 Fischer-Hallman Road, Kitchener. A celebration of Steph's life will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to the Waterloo Region Family Network, Knox Presbyterian Church or SickKids Hospital. Cards available at Henry Walser Funeral Home, 507 Frederick St. Kitchener, ON, 519-749-8467. Visit www.henrywalser.com for Stephanie's memorial. "Steph Prysnuk Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information". 2022. Henrywalser.Com. https://www.henrywalser.com/memorials/steph-prysnuk/4921510/.

  
  

• Event Map

  Died - 1 May 2022 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Buried - - Williamsburg Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  = Link to Google Earth