STEPHANIE GALIK

STEPHANIE GALIK

January 30, 1967 – July 20, 2024

It is with extreme sadness that we announce the loss of our beloved wife and mother Stephanie (Chin) Galik at only 57, after a valiant second battle with breast cancer. Stephanie went into the warm and loving arms of her Lord and Savior on the morning of July 20, 2024, surrounded by her family as she entered eternal glory.

Stephanie was born in San Luis Obispo, California to Ellen (Salvador) and Wilbur Chin, joining older sister Diana (Coakley) completing their family of four. Shortly after Stephanie was born, the family moved to Hanford, California where her mother, Ellen, worked for many years as a P.E. teacher at Hanford High School and her father, Wilbur, helped run their family-owned grocery store, State Market.

After graduating from Hanford High in 1985, Stephanie attended CSU Fresno where she completed her bachelor's degree and teaching credential. She began her 34 year career at Fresno Unified School District as a second grade teacher.

Stephanie met her husband Edward (Lee) Galik at a Bible Study in the summer of 1990, where they also discovered they were neighbors two doors apart in the same apartment complex. They became friends quickly, hanging out together for a year, before Lee took a chance and kissed her.

They were married in Pacific Grove on June 12, 1992 and recently celebrated 32 happy years as a married couple. They began their married life and established their home in Fresno, CA. Together, they welcomed their daughter Alyssa into the family in 1993, son Krystian in 1997, and daughter Saryna in 2000.

Stephanie was a devout Christian who's unwavering faith inspired others in their own relationships with Christ. She enjoyed the peacefulness of nature. Yosemite, Lake Tahoe and the Central Coast of California were her favorite destinations. She loved kayaking, hiking, reading, watching Hallmark movies, painting with watercolors, and hosting family gatherings where her quick wit usually had her on the winning team of the family board games. She also liked to shop for others and took great pleasure in finding thoughtful, creative gifts. She touched many lives with her generosity and passion for life, always considering herself "blessed."

She is survived by, in addition to her husband and children, her mother Ellen, father Wilbur, sister Diana (Ryan, Kayla, Trey), her aunties and uncles, many nieces and nephews, and numerous cousins. In addition to her huge family, Stephanie had a second family in her large network of friends. She loved her former Sunday school class members dearly, where she developed a sisterhood with many women over decades. Her Bible Study Fellowship group of friends were also like an extended family to her over the last several years, as were many of her coworkers.

Although her days with us have come to an end, she will always be with us in spirit, forever loved and never forgotten.