Stacey Kathleen Stein

Stacey Kathleen Hein Stein, 56, of Vancouver, WA, passed away in hospice at her home surrounded by family on April 29, 2025 after a courageous battle with cancer. She is remembered as the bestest wife, beloved mother, sister, aunt, caretaker, friend and mentor who unselfishly gave, touched, and inspired so many lives but whose own life ended too soon.

Stacey was born in Redwood City, California, on June 10, 1968, to George Terry and Sharonlynn Ann Reese Hein. Stacey spent her childhood and early adult years in Northern California where she developed a love and skill for working with horses, helping children, and art. Having been enchanted by her father's storytelling growing up, Stacey also became an avid reader. Stacey also spoke fondly of the summer trips she took with her father back to Terre Haute, Indiana, to visit her relatives. When Stacey's parents divorced, Stacey took on the additional task of helping care for her younger siblings. Stacey continued professionally to work with, support, and advocate for children and their development from her work as: a YMCA summer camp counselor at Camp Fox, Catalina Island, California; an Associate Program Director at the YMCA of Santa Clara Valley; and as an Assistant Center Director for a Child Development Center in Campbell, California. Stacey also worked with the Evergreen School District in Vancouver, Washington, in multiple roles to include: playground supervisor, health room substitute, test proctor, safety patrol supervisor, learning assistance program reading supporter and special educational para-educator substitute. Stacey was also very active in volunteering in many school related and community activities to include serving as Vice President of Communications/Vice President of Student Body Activities for Fisher's Landing Elementary School PTO and as Band Booster Co-President for Mountain View High School's band. Stacey went back to school and obtained her associate's degree in early childhood education at age 50 and went on to pursue her bachelor's degree at Washington State University until her health condition prevented her from further doing so.

Stacey met her husband, Mike, in San Jose, California, through Fred Quihuis, a close friend and mutual YMCA colleague of Mike's. Mike was in his medical residency at the time at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, and they married on July 6th, 1997 after Mike finished his residency. Afterwards, Mike was obligated to serve for the United States Public Health Service in payback for his medical education, and Stacey and Mike set off with their rabbit on a cross-country adventure to live and work in Albany, Georgia where their first child, Adi, was born, followed by a move to Phoenix, Arizona, where their middle child Matthew and their youngest child, Warren, were born. After Mike's Government obligation ended, Mike chose to pursue further medical training in Baltimore, Maryland, and Stacey and the rest of the following moved to Baltimore with him during that training. While in Baltimore, Stacey enjoyed meeting a group of friends from diverse backgrounds with different perspectives and spending time with them. It was in Maryland where Stacey began hosting her famous annual holiday "candy and cookie" party which brought many people together and for which Stacey continued as a holiday tradition for the rest of her life.

After Mike completed his further training, Mike asked Stacey where she next wished to live, and Stacey chose Vancouver, Washington to be closer to other family members near there and due to the affordability, good school system, and mountains and greenery she learned about in Washington State. Through this journey, Stacey met and made many more close friends and mentees whom she enjoyed working and spending time with. Stacey loved planning and hosting birthday and all kinds of parties for these friends and her family. Along the way, Stacey also acquired and cared for multiple family pets: four dogs and five cats. Stacey was proud of her children and the home she made for her family. As to Stacey's wishes for others, Stacey indicated that when given the choice, Stacey asked that people choose kindness. Stacey is and will continue to be remembered by all of those she touched in her life and by the good deeds she inspired in them.

Stacey is survived by her husband, Mike; her children, Adi Stein and Warren Matthews; her sister, Tiffany Hein and Tiffany's husband, Geoff, of Shelton, Washington and their children, Jimmy, Angela, Chris, and Chris's wife Mindy and their child, Alex; her brother, David Creger and David's wife, Jennifer, of Aberdeen, Washington; and her sister, Tammy Grant of Montgomery, Alabama, and Tammy's children, Samantha, Hailey, Dominic, and Dominic's wife Criseel. Stacey was preceded in death by her child, Matthew Stein, and Stacey's ashes were brought to and buried alongside Matthew in the family's cemetery plot at Paradise Memorial Gardens in Phoenix, Arizona.

Two celebrations of life were held for Stacey: the first was held on May 17, 2025, at the home of Stacey's good friend, Eileen Correy, as an informal gathering for friends and family that were in town soon after Stacey's passing, and a larger celebration on June 29, 2025 at the Lacamas Lake Lodge in Camas, Washington (next to one of Stacey's favorite local parks) for out of town friends and relatives that were not able to attend the first celebration of life. Both celebrations were heartfelt and well-attended by family, friends, and mentees.

In lieu of flowers, Stacey suggested donating to local food pantries or any of the following organizations that Stacey supported: The Trevor Foundation, Autism Awareness, and the Children's Center in Vancouver, Washington