Jean Stephanie “Stevie” Conover Denison
August 7, 1937 – December 10, 2025
Jean Stephanie “Stevie” Conover Denison passed away peacefully on December 10, 2025, in Phoenix AZ. Stevie was born in Montclair, New Jersey to Albert Stephen and Ina Maude Conover, and grew up alongside her sister, Nancy. Named after her father, Stevie’s lifelong passion was caring for animals. Her first dog, Snapper—locally famous for riding the bus with the mailman—sparked a love that would shape her entire life. Her fascination with horses began while watching harness racing with her father, and she later owned several horses and competed in Dressage.
Stevie grew up during WWII and could vividly recall wartime rationing and headlight covers on cars. She attended Mary Washington College, then an all-women’s school, where she majored in business and served as president of the synchronized swimming team.
Her career path was as diverse and lively as she was. She operated elevators at her father’s AT&T office in New York City, became a United Airlines stewardess on the very first day the airline began flying jets, and worked as a sales representative for Coty Cosmetics. When airline rules required stewardesses to remain single, she chose to step away and later returned to her true calling—animals—working at a veterinarian’s office and spending more than 30 years pet-sitting in Scottsdale and Cave Creek.
Stevie met the love of her life, Dana Denison, on a United Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu. They married on February 4, 1968, a date Dana joked he chose because it was easy to remember. Together they lived in Honolulu, Seattle, Upper Saddle River, and ultimately Scottsdale. After Dana’s passing in 2003, Stevie found companionship and a wonderful partnership with Ed Myers, with whom she later moved to Cave Creek.
She is survived by her niece and nephew, Jeanne Schaefer and Steve Dawson, and their spouses, Steve Schaefer and Tery Dawson; her grand-niece Avery Schaefer; and her grand-nephews Javier Brito, Nicolas Brito, Steven Dawson Jr., Ryan Dawson, and Sean Dawson. She is also survived by Ed Myers Jr. and his family, for whom Stevie held deep affection.
Stevie spent the last 6 years living in McDowell Village in Scottsdale, where she made many friends and felt safe and comfortable.
Stevie grew up in the Union Congregational Church, where her father taught Sunday school. Later in life, she became more spiritual, believing in the continuity of the soul and the possibility of reincarnation.
Godspeed, Stevie. May your journey continue in peace, and may we meet again.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to www.AmericanHumane.org especially fitting given her love of animals.
August 7, 1937 – December 10, 2025
Jean Stephanie “Stevie” Conover Denison passed away peacefully on December 10, 2025, in Phoenix AZ. Stevie was born in Montclair, New Jersey to Albert Stephen and Ina Maude Conover, and grew up alongside her sister, Nancy. Named after her father, Stevie’s lifelong passion was caring for animals. Her first dog, Snapper—locally famous for riding the bus with the mailman—sparked a love that would shape her entire life. Her fascination with horses began while watching harness racing with her father, and she later owned several horses and competed in Dressage.
Stevie grew up during WWII and could vividly recall wartime rationing and headlight covers on cars. She attended Mary Washington College, then an all-women’s school, where she majored in business and served as president of the synchronized swimming team.
Her career path was as diverse and lively as she was. She operated elevators at her father’s AT&T office in New York City, became a United Airlines stewardess on the very first day the airline began flying jets, and worked as a sales representative for Coty Cosmetics. When airline rules required stewardesses to remain single, she chose to step away and later returned to her true calling—animals—working at a veterinarian’s office and spending more than 30 years pet-sitting in Scottsdale and Cave Creek.
Stevie met the love of her life, Dana Denison, on a United Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu. They married on February 4, 1968, a date Dana joked he chose because it was easy to remember. Together they lived in Honolulu, Seattle, Upper Saddle River, and ultimately Scottsdale. After Dana’s passing in 2003, Stevie found companionship and a wonderful partnership with Ed Myers, with whom she later moved to Cave Creek.
She is survived by her niece and nephew, Jeanne Schaefer and Steve Dawson, and their spouses, Steve Schaefer and Tery Dawson; her grand-niece Avery Schaefer; and her grand-nephews Javier Brito, Nicolas Brito, Steven Dawson Jr., Ryan Dawson, and Sean Dawson. She is also survived by Ed Myers Jr. and his family, for whom Stevie held deep affection.
Stevie spent the last 6 years living in McDowell Village in Scottsdale, where she made many friends and felt safe and comfortable.
Stevie grew up in the Union Congregational Church, where her father taught Sunday school. Later in life, she became more spiritual, believing in the continuity of the soul and the possibility of reincarnation.
Godspeed, Stevie. May your journey continue in peace, and may we meet again.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to www.AmericanHumane.org especially fitting given her love of animals.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Steven Conover Dawson, please visit our flower store.
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