HARRISON, Stephanie Ann
Age 70, passed away peacefully Saturday, June 30, 2012, at her home in Sacramento, CA surrounded by family. Born in Victoria, Canada, Stephanie was the daughter of late Alan and Helen Butchart. Stephanie was wed to Richard Harrison, a marriage which lasted 50 years.
Stephanie graduated Magna Cum Laude from Whittier College with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Education and Master's degree in Special Education (learning disabilities) from California State University, Sacramento, CA, and was named Who's Who in American Universities and Colleges. She had a long and rewarding career as an educator by teaching fourth grade students in the Pico Rivera Unified School District and later as a high school teacher of children and military personnel at the Toul Army Base in Toul, France. Upon returning to the states in 1965, Stephanie worked as a third grade teacher for children with learning disabilities. After moving to Sacramento, she became a Resource Teacher of Foster Youth Services with the San Juan Unified School District, and later served Sacramento City College as the English Department Writing Lab Coordinator, working with over 100 students daily, as Chair of the English Department Faculty Committee for Remedial English Courses, and as Learning Disabilities Specialist, organizing the Learning Disabilities pilot program. One of Stephanie's proud contributions to her teaching efforts was publishing a book with friend Karen Banker, 'Building Blocks for Learning.' In 1984, she accepted a position with the Capitol Office of then Assembly Member Ross Johnson. Stephanie later joined the Senator's staff, where she shepherded many of Senator Johnson's bills through the legislative process, including six bills on a variety of subjects which were approved by the Legislature and signed into laws by the Governor.
Stephanie will be most remembered for her kindness, warmth, gentle smile, laughter, and down-to-earth nature. But most of all, it was her endless generosity and inexhaustible devotion to family and friends which was her legacy. Through her teaching and service she touched countless lives, always striving to encourage and empower people with knowledge and to bolster their sense of self. Though her passion was teaching, she enjoyed reading (great fondness for children's books), politics, music, gourmet cooking (The Gourmet Group can attest to this), contemporary art, and anything having to do with the ocean. Always a crusader for the defenseless, much of Stephanie's energies revolved around the welfare of animals.
Stephanie will remain forever in the hearts of her devoted husband and caregiver, Richard Harrison; daughter and son-in-law, Patricia and Ron Williams of Litchfield, Maine; son, Steven Harrison of Sacramento, CA; sister and brother-in-law, Patricia and Norm Rupp of Tigard, Oregon; brother, David Butchart of Sacramento, CA; brother and sister-in-law, Gregory and Kathy Smith of Lincoln, CA, along with countless other family and friends who were blessed to know her.
Our strong and irrepressible wife, mother, and friend will be sorely missed, though her indelible spirit will remain with us always. In lieu of flowers, at Stephanie's request donations may be made to a non-profit
.
A memorial service is being held TODAY, 10:00 AM, Friday, July 6, 2012, at St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish, 3235 Arden Way.
Published in The Sacramento Bee on July 5, 2012
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