Stephanie Lynn Fairweather

Stephanie Lynn, was born January 30, 1978 at 10:20 AM at St. Mary's Hospital in Kitchener. Born Stephanie Lynn Burkhart-Hume, daughter of Kenneth Hume and Deborah Trendell, tragically died as a result a car accident, on December 2, 2010.

Mom to her loving daughter, Abigail Violet, her "Little Kydo"

Daughter of Deborah Trendell (Randall Smith)

Sister of Chad Burkhart (Susan Bransfield)

Loved by the Burkhart family Jim, his parents Peggy, the late Mahlon Burkhart and family. Where-ever Chad, her brother went, she went with him. The Burkhart family loved her as if she was their own.

Step-sister of Christina Webster, Erika Webster and Corey Smith

Granddaughter of Linda Trendell "Grams"

Niece of Wendy Trendell (Joanne)

Cousin of Patricia Naciuk-Bretton (Kris) and their daughter, Kaylee

Cousin of Christine Naciuk-Doering (Adam) and their daughter Madison

Stephanie is predeceased by her Grandfather, Edwin Trendell


The best way to describe Stephanie, and for you to know her, is for me (her Mother) to gather stories from her brother Chad and Stephanie's closest friends and compile a few of them here. It will give you a pretty good idea of how very special Stephanie was. Abigail, I hope this helps you and generations to come to never forget how very special your Mom was and how she left us all with a piece of her heart. You Steph will forever be in my heart and thoughts. I love you.


Stephanie was born, Hume and years later her Mom married Harold Webster and Stephanie was legally adopted by Harold Webster and she called him "Pops".

Stephanie met her life-long girlfriend, Lindsay Cheese, 26 years a go. They were always Best Buddies, "sisters". They spent so much time together and shared everything. They were such good friends that Stephanie trusted Lindsay completely. Lindsay became Abigail's Guardian and Godmother. Lindsay will continue to be a part of Abigail's life and guide her through life's journey.


Chad's Memories:

There are really so many stories that I have about Stephanie. Most of them have to do with the time that we spent at my Grandmother's and Grandfather's (Peggy and Mahlon) trailer in Belmore. I know that Steph really appreciated the time that she was able to spend with my family.

We used to do a lot of playing together at the trailer. There was a great pond that we would swim in. We'd take the long walk to the showers and bathroom together, as of course there was nowhere to go in the trailer. There was an arena right next door to the trailer park and a long walk through a field would take us to the arena where we would go roller skating.

Another story that came to my mind was the night that we were coming back from Kitchener, one snowy night and we got stuck right behind the train station for the entire evening. I don't know why we didn't get off the train and call someone to come and pick us up. We were just hoping that we would be able to get back to London at some point in time. We spent the whole night on the train, playing cards, eating snacks off the cart that the staff at VIA was good enough to let the poor stranded passengers have and talking. I don't think either of us had any sleep, we just hung out the whole time.

I love you, Steph

~Chad


If Stephanie was not with her brother or best friend, Lindsay, she was either in dance class, swimming classes, gymnastics or following me around the golf course. Steph took golf lessons and had quite the natural swing. Although Steph was left-handed and her first golf club was left handed, she insisted I get her a right-handed club so she could swing the same way that I did. She was about 7 years old when she first started learning to hit the ball. She became very familiar with the rules of golf following me around the course. She never really pursued the sport but rather decided to pursue, "boys".


Debbie Bento's Memories:

I met Stephanie in high school, Westminster to be exact and knew her as Stephanie Webster. She was three years younger than me, so I didn't really pay much attention to her because as we all know three years in high school is a huge gap! Well for some strange reason Steph decided she wanted to become my friend and would win me over (I actually remember her saying that, I'm going to make you like me) I was like what is wrong with this kid? It would start off innocently enough with a few short phone calls at home, "just calling to say hi", "hope you have a good night"… those sorts of things. Soon I'd come to expect these calls which would increase in frequency and in length substantially, mostly with Stephanie talking and me listening. God she liked to talk a whole lot. And sure enough she made me like her with little effort. We would hang around at school and chat about the stupidest stuff and laugh like crazy. Once with her teaching everyone at lunch her "secret" to shaving your legs and getting them silky smooth, which was simply soaking for a long time in the tub and getting a good lather.... it's funny the things you remember :) Big hugs

~Debbie


Christien Ledroit's Memories:

Stephanie and I dated for about two years back in high school. We had many friends in common. I played in a band and we met at a party one night at the drummer's house. Steph wasn't feeling very well, so I helped to make her feel more comfortable and we hit it off. In some ways we were an odd match - we used to tease each other about our musical tastes. She loved the Gin Blossoms and I hated them. I liked punk rock and she seemed to tolerate it. But we had a very close relationship for quite a long time. In many ways it was a typical high school relationship - the world revolved around us, and nothing was more important. We'd spend hours watching TV and movies, or just hanging out with the "whiteoaks" group - all our friends from the south end.

Steph was a part of this large group of friends and was always there at the band's concerts, the weekend parties, all those kinds of things. I remember one night a bunch of us slept over at a friend's house, on couches in the living room, and we left the CD player on repeat, playing the Ramones' "Loco Live". To this day I'm still so sick of that CD I can't listen to it! Steph's favourite song from that CD, as I remember it, was "I Just Want To Have Something To Do".

The last time I saw Steph was when she came to visit me in Kingston, after I'd moved away to go to university. We had already broken up but had remained friends. I think (without admitting it to ourselves) this visit was our way to see if we were still interested in each other. In the end we realized we'd grown apart, but it was still a nicer way to end our relationship than the regular break-up.

A few things I've read in everyone else's memories brought back a few to me as well. Long showers, yep! And smooth skin, yep! Steph always prided herself in her appearance. I don't mean to suggest she was overly vain, more that it's something she took get joy and pride in. And she was indeed very pretty. I remember she used to invite people to feel how smooth her legs were, and everyone was always impressed!

In looking through the pictures everyone's posted, I see the girl I remember from high school, grown into a woman, but still very much the same person. I see her smile, her happiness, her same youthful look, and the same pride in her appearance. And the same "joie de vivre".

Someone mentioned the "You are my Sunshine" song. She used to sing that to me, as well. Even now, when I sing it to my kids, it sometimes reminds me of Steph.

~Chris


Stephanie married Jeremy Jacobs August 30, 1997. They divorced and stayed very good friends.

Stephanie married Joshua Fairweather May 12, 2001 and had Abigail, they later divorced.

Stephanie, a single Mom who was a Christian, devoted her time to her precious daughter, Abigail. She was a wonderful Mom. The two of them were always together, attached at the hip, so to speak. You never saw them apart. Stephanie's goal in life was to give Abigail as much love as she could and more. She wanted the best for Abigail. She wanted her to grow into some-one very special. They loved to laugh and play together and Stephanie especially loved watching Abigail sing and dance and "shake her bootie".

Stephanie had a love for children, she wanted to be a social worker but her career path took a different direction into the Optometry sector and she became an Optometrist's Assistant, which she enjoyed very much.

Stephanie enjoyed helping those who were less fortunate than herself. She was a very good listener and had an ear for anyone who needed to talk. She was also a big talker, so once she listened to you, well let's put it this way, she had much to say.

Stephanie was a lover of life. She enjoyed laughing and could light up a room with her smile. She could even put a smile on your face with her positive upbeat voice.

Stephanie loved the beach and sun. She was first introduced to boating by Ryan McMahon who took her and Abi out sailing on his boat. She loved it. Ryan was a wonderful influence in Stephanie's and Abigail's life.

Stephanie loved taking Abigail to her Mom's and Randy's boat at the Cruising Club in Grand Bend and they spent many weekends there over the years. Stephanie enjoyed meeting the club members there and socializing. She also became good friends with many of them, including Matt and Cathy Relouw and their child, Ethan, Steve and Christie Kloske and their daughter Lily. I do believe Stephanie and Cathy were really hoping that later in life, Ethan and Abigail would be together and they could be the kid's Mother's-In-Laws.

Stephanie grew up to be a beautiful, independent, responsible, loving, caring woman who loved her daughter more than anything in this world. She loved life and enjoyed laughing. Her favorite color was orange, favorite flowers were lilies, favorite fragrance, Volupte, favorite food was her Mom's homemade chili, and she enjoyed listening to the music of James Blunt with a glass of red wine. Her favorite thing to do was to spend time with her daughter.

There were many people in Stephanie's life that she loved and they touched her heart. They were her family, Marilyn Bartlett, Lindsay Cheese, Victoria Noble her husband Darryl and their children, Grayson and Anderson, Mandy Norton, Debbie Bento, Christien Ledroit, Jeremy Jacobs, Joshua Fairweather, John, Intikhab Mobarak, Ryan McMahon, Doug Relouw, Jennifer Rensby and many other friends and co-workers.


Memories Of My Best Friend: By Lindsay Cheese

Stephanie and I met on the first day of Grade 1 out in the school yard at Cartier Public School in London. Well, that's what she told me anyway! I don't actually remember meeting her. I just remember her always being there. She was always in my life, whether we were near or far, and she was and will always be with me in my heart.

When you are little you do so many things that seem insignificant, but when you get older, you realize that it's the little things that you often remember the most. I will always remember hanging out at school, being in the same class, playing together after school, going to Becker's for penny candies, going for walks around the neighborhood, having sleepovers, even during the school week! I will always cherish all of these wonderful memories.

When I moved away in grade 4 it was hard to move to a different city and make new friends. I did, but Stephanie and I kept in touch, by letter, by phone and by visiting each other. She would take the train to Oakville and I would take the train to London or I got a ride from my parents as they would visit friends at the same time. When I came back for visits she would take us all around on the bus… to the mall, to friends' houses, to the movies… anywhere she wanted to go. She was never scared to do anything, or if she was, she never showed that fear. She "made" me do a lot of things that I never would have done had she not pushed me to be more adventurous! I remember Stephanie coming to visit in the summers… we would go to the mall and just hang out. We had a pool so that was always fun and my sister was always around too. I remember one summer when we were around 12 years old we went to Canada's Wonderland for the day, just, Steph and I. My Mom dropped us off. It ended up pouring rain all day long, but we had a blast!

Throughout the years we would go to movies and listen to music, the movies we liked watching over and over again were "Rich Girl" and "Shout" and I remember Steph going through a Neil Young period… I never listened to that kind of music, I was more of a, New Kids On The Block, fan but I listened to it with her and actually came to like it. There was one night during one of my visits that I remember walking through a field with some of her friends and we were singing Blondie's, "The Tide is High". I also remember her having a boyfriend when she was around 18 or so who was into rock music, and they were obsessed with The Ramones "I Wanna Be Sedated".

Steph introduced me to tattoos, I have two tattoos and they were both gotten while with her. She picked out the cherub tattoo because we were both getting it, the same tattoo, she had hers on her lower back and I have mine on my shoulder. I am lucky enough to have an angel on my shoulder that will remind me of Steph forever. She also picked my second tattoo – a rose for my middle name. I showed her a few pictures and she picked the one that I got!

We would talk for hours on end about everything, when we got older it was about our Abi, friends, jobs, boys, etc. and about our cars – at one point we ended up with matching Hyundai Accents. Hers was a 1995 and mine was a 1997. It's funny how we both ended up with the same car and we later realized that we both actually wanted the Hyundai Elantra GT but we couldn't afford it!

Every time I would come to visit Steph I would call when I was getting off the highway to let her know I was almost there and then I would stop at Tim Horton's to get us coffee… me a large double double and her a medium double double. I would have mine finished while it was still hot, but she would have to reheat hers over and over again. It was always amazed by how long it took her to drink a little medium coffee!

In the summer when Steph was pregnant with Abi, she came to visit me. I was living with my parents in St. Catharines but was staying at my boyfriends house in St. Ann's while he was away on a canoe trip. We hung out at the house and in the big yard and when we went out at night to pick up Chinese food for dinner, Steph ended up locking us out! We had to knock on the neighbor's door late at night and get some help in breaking in!! Good thing because my then boyfriend's dog was locked inside!

After she had Abi, I had an apartment in St. Catharines, and she packed Abi up and came to St. Catharines for the weekend. I gave her my bedroom so she would have room to set up the playpen for Abi. We went to my parent's house for a visit as they hadn't seen Stephanie in a while and to meet Abi. We just hung out and enjoyed being in each others company.

I visited Steph and Abi for the weekend that they were moving from the house apartment on Wortley to the apartment on Wonderland. Steph and I were talking and she mentioned that Abi needed a bed as her toddler bed was getting kind of small. I ended up going home to St. Catharines and finding her an almost brand new mattress and box spring set and bed frame to use with mine and my sister's childhood brass headboard. Since she needed bedding to go with her new bed, I found her a bed-in-a-bag at Sears and I ended up renting a PT Cruiser so I could get everything from St. Catharines to London. It took me 3 hours going Hwy 3 all along, but it was worth it to see how excited and happy both Abi and Steph were with Abi's new "big" bed.

Stephanie lived in a number of apartments, I cannot imagine moving as often as she did throughout the years, but it was hard to believe that she did move that often as she made every apartment she lived in feel like a home by the end of moving day.

Regardless of any problems she may have been experiencing, she was always happy and always had a smile on her face. Unless she told you, you would never know she was having a bad day. She would light up a room and make everyone around her happy too.

Stephanie and I had some things in common and others that we were the total opposite on. We both loved chocolate, but she told me once that she has to eat a chocolate bar every day to keep weight on - I don't have that problem!! Haha. We both didn't like to cook. I remember she always had yogurt, grapes, bananas, cranberry juice and frozen dinners in her fridge and that was about it. We used to always eat out when I visited! But as for cleaning, her home was always sparkling clean, mine on the other hand, not so much! Most importantly, Steph and I both shared a special relationship with our Grandma's. My Grandma passed away when I was 27 after being sick for 2 years and during that time Steph helped me out tremendously with dealing with the loss I was feeling. She knew the special relationship that we shared and was able to understand what I was going through.

A few years ago, Stephanie and Abi came to Tillsonburg to my Grandpa's house to celebrate Christmas with my family. It wasn't on Christmas day it was a few days before or a few days after. It was great to have her there to celebrate with us and Abi really enjoyed playing with my cousin's daughter, Kendra. My parents loved her as another daughter and my sister as another sister. We will all truly miss the wonderful person that she was and she will continue to be in our hearts forever!

I was lucky enough to have Stephanie and Abi come to our house on Christmas Day in 2009. Thomas and I were having our first Christmas in our new house with my parents, sister and Aunt Cathy. Unfortunately my Grandpa stayed at my parent's house as he wasn't feeling well. It was a great evening that continued until early in the morning. The next morning I woke up with Abi while Steph was still sleeping and we had hot chocolate, toast and yogurt for breakfast. I'm so glad we were able to spend her last Christmas together. I will remember that special day forever.

We always thought that we had a special connection ~ My Birthday is the 30th of December and hers the 30th of January. Her Mom's the 7th of January and my Mom's the 7th of April and finally my Dad's is October 29th which is the day Abi was born! We always liked to acknowledge our "anniversary" in September every year, the last one being 26 years!

As I said before, I just remember Stephanie always being in my life. It has been one of the hardest things I have ever had to do to come to terms that she's gone... She will always live on in my heart and in my memories and through her beautiful daughter Abi and her mom Debby.

~Lindsay


P.S. - I remember Steph calling Abi - Abi alababi or something along that line... I'm not sure why or if it was part of a rhyme? Do you remember this?

Yes, Lindsay, I remember it well. I heard Steph say one day, let's go Abi-Babi. I thought that was rather cute and I extended that name to Abi-Ali-Babi. Steph had many nicknames for Abi and Abi and I have been going through some of them and writing them down. We have come up with Little Kydo, Little One, Pinky Pie, Cupcake, Pumpkin, Munchkin and Boopity-Doo. More will come with time and I'll add them. It was nice that Steph had certain names, one being Little Kydo as I always called, Steph, Kydo, I actually called her Weiner but out in public, it was Kydo. Munchkin was my cat's name because she was just a tiny thing, only weighed 5-6 pounds all her life but she was strong and mighty and Queen of the house, something like Abi. Little One, I think this was used as I called Steph, Little Whan. It's nice to know Steph shared or passed down some form of her nicknames that I gave her, she obviously cherished them.

Now, nicknames were not just given to Abi only by her Mom. I gave Abi the name Bubba Boobie, hmmm… I wonder why? Well it appeared to me that Steph was constantly breast feeding, every time I looked at her, there was Abi, sucking away. I asked Steph, are you sure she is hungry? Are you sure there isn't something else she needs? Steph said, no, so, that's how Bubba Boobie came to be. Now that Abi is a bit older, it has been shortened to Bubba Boobs at times. She's going to love that, once she becomes a teenager! Out in public I call her Cutie and Poppi has always called her Little One as Steph did. Darryl wanted to point out the nickname Abigail-smabigail came from him, and stuck with Ryan! She always laughed when Darryl called her that. My good friend Tony Galloni from England gave Abi the nickname, My Little "5" Cent.


As far as Tim Horton's coffee, isn't it interesting that no matter what man was in Steph's life she was able to train them to get a Tim Horton's coffee for her as soon as she woke up. Why was that? Did she not own a coffee maker? I would brew Tim Horton's coffee at my home and ask her if she wanted a cup, she always said no and sent who-ever was there to Tim Horton's. Do you think it was the paper cup?


A Few Of My Many Memories Of Steph: By Mandy Norton Schram

Stephanie and I met when I started going to the same school as her. We became very close and spent a lot of time together.

We spent many weekends at each others houses. One of my first sleepovers I had at her house I remember getting into bed and the cat was laying on the pillow. I said to Steph that she had to move the cat, and she said no, the cat sleeps with us and if you don't like it you can sleep on the couch. I had to get used to the cat sleeping by my head pretty quick, cause there was absolutely no way I was going to sleep by myself. I soon loved Steph's cats almost as much as she did.

When I was 9 years old my parents moved our family to Port Franks. I was so upset about leaving Stephanie, but she was so positive about the move. She told me that it didn't matter where we lived we were going to be friends forever, she was so wise. We talked all the time, just like she said we would, it got to the point that my parents had to limit the amount of times I called in a day, the phone bills were becoming outrageous.

Steph and I got together as often as we could, my parents still worked in London so they would bring Steph home with them on a Friday night. I would wait by the living room window and watch for the headlights to appear in the driveway. As soon as I saw them I would run out the door screaming, the car would be barely stopped before the back door would fly open and she would jump out and meet me on the front lawn, screaming just as loud.

Sometimes my Mom would let me skip school on the Friday and take me to Steph's house to spend the weekend. On one particular visit Steph decided she wanted us to take the bus downtown, to the Galleria Mall to see the movie, Ghost, we were not old enough to get into see that movie. So she thought it would be a good idea to make me up...she did my hair and my make up (which I never wore), dressed me in some very grown up clothes, and off we went. On our way there she coached me on what to say, and how to act. When we got there she went to the ticket window first and got her ticket with no problems, than it was my turn. I walked up asked for the ticket and they saw right through my disguise and asked me for my ID, which of course I did not have. Steph tried everything that she could think of to get me into the movie, but they wouldn't budge. After that she never let it go that she was 15 days older than me, and it obviously showed.

When I was 18, I moved in with my sister and her fiance while I went to college. Steph moved into the same complex as well. Just like when we were kids we started doing everything together, like getting the same tattoos. Steph, Lindsay and I went and got the same tattoo, which I didn't tell anyone I was getting. But to my surprise when we got home from getting the tattoos my Mom was waiting at my sisters to take us out to dinner. Every time that I moved, it sounded like I was wearing a diaper cause my belt would rub against the bandages. My Mom and sisters kept asking what the noise was and Steph and I tried our best to make up some story but my Mom knew we were lying.

As we got older our visits got shorter and further apart, but it never seemed to matter how long it had been, it was like no time at all had passed by. You will always be in my heart and never forgotten.

I Love you and Miss you Stephanie!!!

~Mandy


Victoria has a few stories she'd like to share. I added a few Birthday's in there as well.

Victoria's Memories:

Her love of boating…hahahaha! I remember the first time we went on Ryan's boat (all of us), Steph and I got so nauseated, we weren't sure if we were going to be sick! The whole boat ride back Ryan and Darryl kept telling us "Girls just look at the horizon" all the while the kidlets were having a blast. There was a point where I looked at her, she looked at me, we were both a shade of green and we just burst out laughing-oh her laugh-when she laughed it made me laugh even harder.

Steph and I talked all the time, sometimes 4 times a day, she was a great listener who had great advice but also when the time came for me to do the listening she was always receptive to any advice she asked for. She was the friend that we could say anything to each other and even though it wasn't sugar coated it was said with the best intentions.

I know what "digging deep for strength" looks like as I have seen an amazing woman named Stephanie do just that and reap the benefits for her hard work. She was a woman that single mothers would look up to, because she gave women hope and strength.

Stephanie was a natural at being a mother, her endearing demeanor was a magnet for all children. She sang constantly to Abigail, and danced all the time. Nighttime routines were so important to this spectacular Mommy. There were lots of books, prayers, kisses and cuddles for her Little Kydo and of course the tucking in of Abi's beloved Lambi!

My favorite memory of the two girls were when they ate dinner, Sheppard's Pie, they shared a plate while sitting on the couch, alternating bites and talking about the day. Stephanie had one true love in her life and that little lady was Abigail.

Abi's 1st Birthday was similar to her Mom's, it ended with the tradition of diving into the Birthday cake with all hands and making a huge mess. Stephanie's first Birthday cake was chocolate and that was the beginning of her PASSION for CHOCOLATE.

Abi's 2nd Birthday was a Potty Training Theme, she got the potty from her Grams along with the dolly, later that day Abi stripped down and peed all over the carpet…lol

2nd Halloween- She was a Fairy, costume from Children's Place

Abi's 3rd Birthday - Adventures on Wonderland with a Hello Kitty Cake. Steph forgot to take it out of the fridge and Darryl had to cut it! The ice cream cake was from Grandma and she got her that snowsuit with the purple Dora mitts and hat set, Stephanie went all out on that Birthday, the out fit was from the GAP, worn in her Daycare pictures (white blouse, brown pants, and the purple leather shoes from Ellen's shoes). Cake and ice cream was at the girl's house in Wortley.

Abi's 3rd Halloween - Abi wore a Pocahontas costume from Old Navy, they came to my house to go Trick or Treating. Anderson was a pirate and Grayson wore the costume Abi wore the year before. It was a lot of fun to see the little kidlets climbing the steps. I remember Steph and I telling the kids to say "trick or treat" and use their please and thank you! There was another Mommy moment we shared together when we watched them that night on Halloween and thought about the year prior and how much had changed with our kids!

Abi's 4th Birthday - At Ryan's, I have to laugh at this one, Steph made Ryan go and change into something brown to match her and Abigail. They had ice cream cake and Mom's famous chili. Abi got a very special baby from her Grandma and Randy.

Halloween; gotta laugh at this one too! Ryan was super excited for Halloween, he got Abi's costume (without going through the details with Steph…hahaha) and it wasn't a hit with Steph, but she didn't want to say anything because he was so excited. How cute is that, a guy buying a little girl's Halloween costume. Anyway, Abi LOVED it and so did Steph....eventually after she saw how sweet her daughter looked in it. Once again they came out to our house to go trick or treating along with Ryan dressed up as a pirate without the gnarly teeth that Abigail insisted must be taken out! Oh yeah the costume was a lime green fairy outfit, super cute!

I completely agree with you Deb, Ryan was a great influence on both girls. I hope Abi never forgets him or at least knows how much she meant to him!

Abi's 5th Birthday - Was a Halloween Party tied into one, the kids could wear there Halloween Costumes. They had a Dora Halloween Birthday cake, I believe.

Abi's 6th Birthday - Steph and Abi spent together as Mommy was feeling under the weather that day. It was a great Birthday, the two spending time together and Abi taking care of her Mommy.

Abi's 7th Birthday party was a party at the Gold's Gym with swimming for the first part which everyone enjoyed and the party later in the party room.

Being neighbors in the same building, we saw each other everyday and if not first thing it was always around 8:15am as we dropped of our kidlets who attended the same daycare and occasionally Abi and Anderson were in the same class. Even when they moved to different places coffee dates were as common as stepping on a toy, okay that would happen more at my house, as we all know Steph was immaculate! lol, anyway, never at a loss for words between the two of us, always something to say even if we just had coffee the day before, hers was the medium and mine was the large.

Steph used to come out to St Thomas all the time, she loved the backyard for her Little Kydo to run around in, while us Mom`s sat and watched them enjoying the summer sun. Abi you went from being Anderson`s first playmate who played with all the boy toys, to being the little girl who would sit in your Mommy`s lap and hold my little Grayson, rocking her. Your Mom and I saw Grayson got older you two seemed to go off and play with dolls and the dishes. You two girls became great little playmates and I wish we could have kept those play dates going!

Christmas in Wortley - New pj's for Christmas morning. The tree was decorated by the girls. Deb, I remember Stephanie was so excited to spend that Christmas morning with just you and Abigail-(just the girls) and later you three were off to visit your Mom!

Even though money was tight at times with Stephanie, her giving nature was always something that made her amazing. Christmas 2006 she gave my family a Christmas Decoration with all of our family names. I will cherish that gift, as it was something that came from her heart and was something that meant so much to her.

I will never forget that she was the first face that greeted us when Darryl, Anderson and I came home with our newest edition, Grayson. She gave us all of Abigail's baby clothes, I was certain we were having a boy; I was so very wrong… lol. She also gave us Abigail's butterfly crib bedding and told me yet another wonderful story of her daughter. When Stephanie found out her miracle baby was a girl one of the first things she wanted was a super feminine crib set that she could put her baby girl in. She found what she was looking for and bought the crib set. I returned the butterfly bedding back to the little lady that gave Stephanie so many wonderful memories, I hope Abigail every time you look at that you will know that you were bundled with love. I will never forget seeing you sitting on your Mommy's lap, holding Grayson while the two of you talked and sang to Grayson.

Anderson was the typical little boy, when we came to your house, I still laugh when I think about the look on your Mom's face when the two of you got playing, it was a free for all! We all remember how your Mom loved a clean house but that all went out the window when she saw the two of you laughing hysterically at the chaos. Your Mommy was my first true Mommy friend and we were each others supports as we navigated through the different stages of your childhoods, what to do with a fever, to potty training, ear infections, to daycare, shopping for Back 2 School clothes, we did it together as friends. Our phone conversations often started like this "Guess what Abi (or in my case Anderson and Grayson) did today that was hilarious.

Lindsay, I agree with you on her moving and how her efforts of bettering her and Abi's life were her number one priority. Your room Abi, was always the first to be unpack and one special year your Aunt Lindsay got you a bed and comforter set, it was perfect in your new room at Ryan's. I remember this because Darryl was at times the muscle is some of the moves. I remember Steph and I trying to contain our laughter as the guys were trying to maneuver her huge armoire on to the moving van and the "looks" we received only made it harder to suppress our laughs, my cheeks still have the marks!

I recall Abi having a mouse collection and each one has a story.

Most people who met your Mommy, Abi, always commented on how she had the most beautiful eyes and they also commented on how her eyes sparkled, well sweet Abigail, I know for a fact that you are the absolute reason her eyes sparkled, you gave her much love, much joy and so much happiness! She always said you were what she dreamed about, how much you were wanted and how having you was the best thing that ever happened. You are her treasure!

~Victoria


Yes Victoria, Abi has a mouse collection, which I started for her. When I told Steph I was going to get Abi started on some type of collectibles, Stephanie wanted a collection that was not the typical, so I found the Mouse Collectibles. Each mouse does have a story behind it. I started Stephanie on a Bunny Collection when she was just a baby and she has quite the collection.


Joshua's Memories:

I Remember

I remember Stephanie's addiction to Tim Horton's Coffee, well her, as well as half of Ontario. I still think that she was one of there best customers.

I remember Stephanie having one of the longest morning routines of any person I know. She was up at 5:45am every morning even though she didn't have to be at work till 9:00am. Her routine started off with a very long shower, I can remember at the time being glad that we didn't have to pay for water in our apartment because the money spent on heating all that water could have been enough for a down payment on a house. She then sat in her robe to do her makeup and hair in front of a tall standing wooden floor mirror, which she absolutely loved. Stephanie wasn't much of a breakfast person but I remember along with her coffee sometimes she would get a cheese Croissant from Tim Horton's.

I remember Stephanie's love for animals, especially for cats. We had three cats, Miriam, Baby, and Spunk. Miriam was my cat that I inherited from my brother. Baby was Stephanie's little princess, a grey coloured very elegant looking cat who was very soft natured. Spunk on the other hand, a cat that Stephanie rescued, was at first a very angry mean cat. Stephanie said, every morning and evening she would give Spunk holding therapy until Spunk gave in and became a very fun and loving cat, hence the name Spunk. Unfortunately both cats got sick and we had to be put them down. This really broke Stephanie's heart, she really loved those cats.

I remember staying with Stephanie in a hotel room and that night waking up to find that she was no were to be found. In a panic I looked for her only to find that the bed we where sleeping on was two mattresses pushed together that had spread apart and there was Stephanie lying sound asleep between the crack, the sheets supporting her like a little hammock. I still laugh every time I recall that memory.

I remember on our first wedding anniversary we went to Niagara Falls. We had the opportunity to meet up with Stephanie's best friend Lindsay Cheese who Stephanie talked so highly of. That weekend we went to the casino, wax museums, butterfly conservatory, and of course I can't forget the haunted house called Nightmares. After Stephanie and I had dinner and a couple of chocolate martinis we thought we would check out this haunted house up the street. After paying our admission we waited to enter while listening to horrifying screams coming from the house. Then suddenly three of the biggest guys I have ever seen came running out of the exit yelling like little girls. Stephanie and I looked at each other and said "this must be really scary". As we entered the house, a body which was lying on a table in the dim light, rose from the table and started to chase us. Stephanie jumped on my back like a scared monkey as I ran. I pretty much had to piggy back her through the whole house and yes it was terrifying but we made it through in one piece. At the end of our weekend we found this shop that had marionette dolls in the window. I will never forget what Stephanie said, for some reason it stuck with me, when I have a little girl I would love to give her a doll just like this. And as we all know she had that little girl.

Stephanie and I didn't always see eye to eye on things but one thing that we had in common is that we both love our daughter Abigail Violet Fairweather. Abigail is a joy to my heart and I know without question that she was a joy to Stephanie as well.
I could probably go on with the things that I remember about Stephanie but I would like to conclude with the lyrics of one of the many songs Stephanie sang to Abigail before bedtime.

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are grey
If you only knew dear how much I love you
Please don't take my sunshine away.

After Stephanie's death Abigail started her own lyrics to this

You are my Mommy, my only Mommy
You make me happy when skies are grey
If you only knew Mommy how much I love you
Please don't take my Mommy away.

Thank you for all the great things you have left behind, we will miss you Stephanie Lynn Fairweather.

Sincerely

~Joshua Fairweather

Joshua, I wonder where Stephanie got her morning routine from? Her Mom isn't like that is she? Now the "Hour Power Showers", they are definitely not a part of my routine. We would all have to get up and get into our bathrooms before Steph had her shower, otherwise we wouldn't have any hot water. What did she do in there? She would open the door and the steam would come rolling out. I can tell you one thing, whatever she did, she had the softest skin.

Steph's love of cats started as a child. We had Scamper, she died while running across the street. We were devastated and that was the only cat we had that went outside, from that point on, they were all indoor cats. Frisky and Smokey followed shortly after, one cat was not enough to fill the void of our Scamper, so we got two. Everyone will agree Frisky was Stephanie's cat. She slept cuddled up to her face each and every night, with Steph tweaking that cat's nose all night long. I always wondered how that cat could breathe but obviously Frisky loved it. The two cats, Frisky and Smokey both lived to be 22 years old, so they spent a good portion of Steph's life with her. During that period a number of strays came along, Augusta, Sinbad, a big black cat that again loved Stephanie and Tigger. There were so many strays that found their way to our house. Many I turned in and hopefully they found good homes for them. Steph called me, "The Cat Lady". She always said, "Mom they find you, cats just know where to locate you". She would laugh, each time a stray found their way to our home.


Mom's Memories:

There are so many memories and just not enough space for them all but I will share a few.

As a very small child, Stephanie was learning how to talk, she got out the basic words each child learns to say, Momma, Daddy, cat, doggie, ball… you get the idea. When Step tried to put sentences together, none of us could understand a word she was saying. She would go on and on and she was so enthralled in her own conversations, yick-yacking away with her hands flying every which way and none of us had a clue what she was saying. I'd asked Chad constantly if he had any idea what she was talking about, he didn't. Did she talked Gibberish or was it Chinese or possibly a language from another planet? This went on for a very long time. She went to Montessori School and the teachers there were having difficulty as well, they were frustrated. Then one day, the teachers were so excited as I came into the door to pick Stephanie up. They said, we have a break-through, Steph can talk. I too got very excited. The said, come listen. They told Stephanie to talk very, very slowly. My goodness… she spoke perfect English and every word was recognizable. Steph really had to concentrate on slowing her speech down. We all know that Steph continued to have a bit of that problem… could we ever stop her from talking when she had something to say?

Stephanie as a child was very petite, this continued into her adult life as well. She was blessed with these genes from her Father's side of the family and some of my Mother's side. I wasn't that fortunate. She had a very high metabolism. I recall when Stephanie was in grade one, the school principal at Cartier Public School called me and asked me to come into the school. I sat down with the principal and her teacher and they began questioning me. Does Stephanie eat? Do you feed her? Why is she so tiny? I was shocked; I never looked at Stephanie in that way, she was just Steph. Stephanie always ate a lot. She was a picky eater but if she liked something, she never stopped. As a child, she loved Cheerio's, I don't think that craving ever stopped and I do know Abi loves them too. She enjoyed macaroni and what child in those days didn't and that continued into her adulthood along with Abi enjoying her macaroni as well. Stephanie was a healthy eater, eating lots of fruits and vegetables. She passed down her healthy eating to her daughter as well, not to say that she didn't enjoy a good steak, especially when she had dinner at my house. Abi is a bottomless pit when it comes to eating, and she too has been blessed with that high metabolism and great genes.

My very favorite memory is the birth of Abigail. Steph woke up in the morning, said, Mom my water broke and we need to get to the hospital. That was a three weeks before her due date. So off we went at 7:00 in the morning. We had to stop at Tim Horton's first of course to get coffee. Well once there Steph's contractions became erratic, they never did get into any type of rhythm. We spent the entire day there, telling each other stories and I was trying to comfort her. She was so strong, never groaned once. She worked hard on meditating and listening to music. She was anxious to see her baby girl. She did the labor all natural, I was actually very impressed, I didn't do it with my children, I couldn't bear the pain. I was so very proud of her. Words can't express how proud I was. When it was time for Steph to give birth, all she kept saying was, please let her be tiny, she should be tiny, shouldn't she since she is 3 weeks early? Please let her be tiny so she can slip right out. Even during that time her contractions were erratic, sometimes they'd be every minute others were 2 and 3 minutes apart. Abi, her head almost out and no contraction, it seemed like forever while that little head, well it wasn't exactly little I was thinking to myself and I was also thinking, oh my, I don't think this was going to be a small baby and I had better not say anything to Steph. It seemed like an eternity but finally the contraction came and Abigail Violet was born at 7:45 PM on October 29, 2003. She weighed 7lbs. 9oz. and was 20 inches long. Not exactly what you would call a small baby, actually as most of us will recall Abi as a baby looked quite like the Michelin Character for Michelin Tires, very "roley poley"
I was the proudest Mom and happiest Grandma you have ever seen. It was a moment I will cherish in my heart forever. It tops my list of memories. Abigail came home on Halloween and I just had to get her a costume to come home in. I walked in the hospital with the costume and everyone burst out laughing. We did dress her up and she looked adorable. Halloween's then became very important to Steph and Abigail.

Christmas's were a special occasion for Steph and she couldn't wait for Christmas to come as a small child as well as an adult. She spent Christmas-time with all the families, the Burkhart's and the Trendell's. I always had the house decorated well before Christmas and she loved the lights, the glitter and smell of Christmas. As a Mother, this time of year was especially important to her as she loved to see the look on Abigail's face when they woke up Christmas morning. The Christmas of 2008, Stephanie and Abigail spent the night at Randy's and my home, it was a special night as Randy's entire family came to celebrate Christmas Eve at our house. It was a gathering of adults and children. Abigail had so much fun with all the children. Later that evening, Stephanie and Abigail snuggled up in bed together and fell asleep to awake to the tree filled with gifts that Santa left at our home. It was a wonderful celebration with all of us travelling to Kitchener later that morning to have Christmas brunch with Stephanie's Grams and Abi's, "The Great One".

I remember the Surprise Birthday Party I was having for Randy at the Cruising Club. Marilyn and I went to Steph and Ryan's home to prepare everything for the party. There was going to be many people attending, so we made 3 huge pots of chili. The 3 of us worked as if we were in a factory assembly line, making sure all the ingredients were exactly the same for each pot. We worked in rotation while drinking wine, telling stories and planning the party. Steph stored everything at her home until the day of the party. It was the best surprise Birthday party ever. Steph and Marilyn did a great job putting things together at the Cruising Club while I tried to keep Randy busy so he would never find out. He was quite surprised. What a great day!

Stephanie had many tattoos and she was very proud of them, they were all quite nice. They represented things in life that Steph thought were important or meant something to her. On December 29th Stephanie was going to get a very important tattoo. That of course never came to be, so in remembrance and because this tattoo was going to be so special, I will be getting the tattoo she wanted. Stephanie had a heart tattooed at the base of her spine. She was getting the words Abigail Violet incorporated into that tattoo with some detailing of ivy work being done with it. She loved her little girl so very much. So at the end of February, Abigail will be holding Grams' hand and Stephanie will be looking down, laughing and saying, "I knew one day, Mom you would get a tattoo".

Stephanie had many last names in her lifetime, starting with her birth, however, one name never changed. From the birth of her daughter she kept the name Fairweather. She never wanted to change that name as she felt it was important to keep the same last name that her daughter had. It was a connection that Steph felt was important, that's the type of Mother she was.

We are all going to miss Stephanie very much. She gave us all, so much love, in the very short period of time that she was here on earth and we will carry that love with us, always.

Abigail now resides with her Daddy, his wife Nicole and their children, Noah, Ally and Emit. Abigail is surrounded by Stephanie's family and friends. We all promise to love and care for Abigail, to watch her grow into the very special person you wanted her to be. We promise to guide her on her life's journey and to always keep the memory of you fresh in her mind. You will be with her, always.

Stephanie, the night before your accident you were laying beside me in my bed while Abigail was sleeping soundly in her bed downstairs at our house and you snuggled up close to me and said, "Mom you know when I was a little girl, all I wanted was to grow up and be just like you, now all I want is to be that little girl again". We fell asleep snuggled up together. Those words are precious to me, never to be forgotten. I understood how very much you loved me and how you felt comfort being with me. I thank God, that I was so fortunate to have that very special night with you.

Stephanie, I have felt your presence around me, I know you are near. I know you will always be close to the ones that you love so much and that love you. I have been blessed to have you as my daughter. I am so very proud of you. I love you so very much and I miss you every second of the day… Until we meet again, Kydo, until we meet again.

I love you.

~Mom

A trust fund for Abigail's education is set up for her. For more information on this trust fund, please contact BMO (519) 472-4933.


MY LETTER TO MY DAUGHTER STEPHANIE FAIRWEATHER, IN HEAVEN

Dear Stephanie,

It's been a year now since you left this earth to carry on with your next journey. Sometimes it feels like yesterday, other times it feels like an eternity since we last spoke or saw each other. I miss you more than any words can say. There isn't a second that has gone by that you are not in my thoughts. They say the good die young, well that's you.

I remember the day you were born like it was yesterday. I watched you grow year after year. Since you were a tiny child, you were always drawn to children that needed a bit more attention, some that didn't quite fit in. You were like a Mother to most. As a small child you always said, how much you wanted to be a Mother and have 10 children. You wanted lots and lots of children. Unfortunately that wasn't God's plan. You had a difficult time having children and when Abigail was born, it was like a miracle, your "miracle baby". I was there with you when Abigail was born and I think for both of us it was the happiest days of our lives. From that point on, it was all about Abigail. You were the most amazing Mom. The two of you did everything together, attached at the hip, so to speak, both of you inseparable. Oh how Abi loves you and misses you.

You were busy raising Abi, working full time and yet you always made time for your friends. You had good long time friends and you had a knack for making new friends. You were special to all. You helped people in need. Always there for everyone, including me and I was truly grateful for your insight and words of wisdom. I found a Christmas card Steph, in one of your boxes. You saved 3 cards, one from my parents, one from Abi and another from someone named Marlene, I had no idea who she was. Fortunately, she put her phone number on the card. I thought, this person must be special, so I decided to call her. It turns out Marlene knew you from one of your places of work, she was a patient. Marlene, was battling cancer 8 years ago and had some pretty difficult situations in her personal life as well. Steph, you were there for her, supporting her and helping her through some pretty difficult times. Honestly, did this surprise me about you, no it didn't. You certainly were a caring, loving and very giving person. I am so very proud of you.

I miss your smile, I miss the twinkle in your eyes and I miss our talks. I miss hearing the phone ring and your number showing up and answering your call to hear, "Hey Mom". I miss our talks about Abi, our very long talks about men and life over many glasses (bottles) of wine. I miss the laughing until the tears roll down our faces. I miss your HUGS. We sure did have good times together.

Steph, Abi has grown so much this past year. She is a very mature little girl who misses her Mommy so very much but she has your determination, your will and certainly your compassion, to do what she needs to do. We talk about you all the time and we will never forget the enormous amount of love you had for us and others.

Thank you Steph for the love you gave all of us. I love you and miss you each and every day. It makes very proud to say, I'm your Mom. Big hugs and kisses to you. 12/02/11