Stephanie Jane Zerilli

Stephanie J. Ryan Zerilli, age 57, of Lansing passed away Monday, May 1, 2023 in her home surrounded by her children and loved ones. It stormed during her final moments; she died peacefully at the same time the rain stopped and the clouds parted. Stephanie was born on August 21st of 1965 to Carlton and Jean Ryan of McLean. She grew up in a household full of love and laughter along with her three brothers, Matt, Steve, Roland. She could often be seen riding her 10-speed bicycle on her way to work at Dedrick's Fruit Stand or Four Seasons plant nursery. She loved to be outdoors and all things growing and green. She graduated from Dryden High School in 1983 and went on to study statistics at SUNY Cortland and then at Cornell University where she graduated in 1988. She married and had three beautiful children, Armand in 1993, Domenick in 1996, and Gelsomina in 2000. Her children were the focus of her life, and after her divorce she raised and supported her children as a single parent, guiding them through life with love, humor, and patience. An avid camper, Stephanie brought her family on many adventures and nurtured an appreciation for life and nature in each of her kids. She was a talented seamstress and made countless Halloween costumes for her kids as well as volunteered to sew costumes for school plays. She frequently mentioned her dream to operate a costume shop in retirement. She was a caring member of the Ithaca community, and was involved with the First Unitarian Church, the Ithaca Hikers group, and frequented improv comedy classes as well as volunteering at many functions. She met her longtime loving partner, Pat Graham, of Cortland, and together they enjoyed many adventures, making the most of life until the end. She joined her sister-in-law at the Dryden Police Department as a clerk where she met a new extended family. Stephanie was quick to laugh and was never afraid to be silly. Her honesty and open nature endeared her to many friends wherever she went. As a friend she was loving and supportive, a steadfast confidant to anyone in need, but especially to her children, to whom she was a best friend.

Stephanie is preceded in death by her mother, Jean Ryan of McLean (2018), and survived by her father Carlton Ryan of McLean; her three loving children: Armand Zerilli of Candor, Domenick (Emily) Zerilli of Candor, and Gelsomina Zerilli (Aaron Segal) of Lansing; her loving partner Pat Graham of Cortland; her three siblings: Matthew (KC) Ryan of Ithaca, Steven (Margaret) Ryan of Cortland, and Roland (Rosanne) Ryan of Vestal; three nephews, two nieces, several aunts, uncles, numerous cousins, extended family and many loving friends.

Friends may call from 5 to 7 pm, Thursday, May 11, at the Shurtleff Funeral Home, 103 Lincoln Ave., Groton. A memorial service will follow calling hours at 7 pm. In lieu of flowers, friends of Stephanie may make a donation to Hospicare of Ithaca at hospicare.org.

""In my garden, hummingbirds dance while angels sing.""