STEPHANIE BALNAITIS 69, passed away peacefully on June 28, 2016 at the Lower Cape Fear Hospice. Stephanie was born in Cohoes, New York on August 1, 1946 to Anthony and Vivian Balnaitis. She is survived by her loving family: sister Kathy DelSignore (Bob) of Watervliet, New York, nieces Stephanie and Kimberly; sister MaryAnn Weeks (Tom) of Green Valley, Arizona, nephew Christian and niece Jennifer, grand-nephews Zachary and Nicholas and grand-niece Allison; and her beloved extended family: Reverend Sean (Kerry) and Eowyn Rosseau, LJ, Aislinn and Summer Grace Garcia of South Riding, Virginia, and Louis (Renee) and Grayson Garcia of Brambleton,Virgina. Stephanie had a distinguished 30-year career with the Central Intelligence Agency, traveling worldwide and establishing many lifelong friends. She retired to Wilmington, North Carolina in 2003. A beautiful sisterhood bond with Mimi, Marie, Ellen, Joan and Mindy was a lifetime treasure to her. A young neighborhood boy, Max Levy, brought joy to her heart as she nurtured and watched him grow into a young man and an accomplished saxophone musician. She was an active member of the Wilmington Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, and she enjoyed the friendship of many of the parishioners of the congregation. Her dear friend and caregiver Claudia Sing and a major support group of precious friends shared many of her life's moments as well as her final journey. Her passion was living life to the fullest with love, laughter and sparkles. She loved children and volunteered in the community working with the under-privileged. An avid reader and writer, she composed several short stories. She enjoyed the theatre, a good movie, an exciting mystery, and a productive shopping excursion always brought a smile to her face. She thoroughly enjoyed hearing or telling a good joke and shared her humorous talent as a stand-up comedienne. Hosting gatherings at her home, playing cards, conversing with her Ashley Park Community friends, the pool, beaches and collecting shells were among her favorite times. Traveling with family and friends, she loved to explore the natural beauties of the world. She treasured art works and music and her home reflected her elegant style of warmth and love. Stephanie had a beautiful smile and contagious laughter, greeting all with open arms. Once you met Stephanie your life was blessed and she was your caring friend forever. A gift she gave to all of us was her love of God, family, friends and her joyous laughter. We will miss her deeply, but she is in our hearts and we will always carry her love and her words with us: "God Bless" and "Always Keep Smiling"!! A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, July 7, 2016 at 10 a.m. in Immaculate Conception Church, 6650 Carolina Beach Road in Wilmington. Inurnment will take placement at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Lower Cape Fear Hospice at www.tmcfunding.com To share memories or condolences to the family, visit www.wilmingtoncares.com Wilmington Funeral & Cremation 1535 S.41st Street, Wilmington, NC 28403 910.791.9099

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Published by Wilmington Star-News from Jun. 29 to Jun. 30, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Stephanie Balnaitis

19 Entries

Mary Beth Kustra

June 29, 2020

Has it really been four years without Stephanie's "Sparkle"? We miss her, but know that she is in a better place. May she rest in peace.

Eileen MacGegor-Porretta

July 8, 2016

Please accept my deepest sympathies.

Susan (Williams) Petronis

July 8, 2016

I am so sorry for your loss. I remember Stephanie from CCHS. She always had a laugh and a smile for everyone.

July 8, 2016

To All who loved and cared for my Aunt Stephanie. Thank you. She spoke so highly of her friends and her life was filled with love and so much laughter and happiness. Thank you to her amazing neighbors who supported our family while we stayed with her. Stephanie's friends were remarkable in their care and their obvious love for her...we are deeply grateful for everything that people have done to help her rest peacefully. I can't believe she is gone but I take comfort in the fact that she lived a very full life filled with nothing but love.

Marie Cade

July 7, 2016

Stephanie Delsignore, My prayers are with you during this time of loss. I know how special your aunt was to you. May God give you support and comfort at this time. Love Marie Cade

We are sending healing prayers for this entire family during this very difficult time.

Lisa & Eddie Van Horn

July 6, 2016

Helene Vonnegut

July 6, 2016

Peace, dear one. The extended Vonnegut Family was blessed indeed by your friendship. Beautiful of soul and generous of spirit to all who knew you, Dear Friend Stephanie.

Joyce Meyer-Aoyama

July 5, 2016

To our cousins,

Our heartfelt condolences go out to you all on the passing of Stephanie. In the last few years in the search of my father's family I found out that Stephanie was my second cousin through the Carson side of the family. I was thrilled to find out that we had cousins through this side of our family and very sad to hear that we have lost one.

Stephanie's grandfather was the brother to my grandmother, Margaret Carson Meyer.

So on behalf of the Meyer side of the family I would like to express our deepest sympathies.

Mike McNulty

July 5, 2016

Kathy, MaryAnn, and Family: I am very sorry for your loss.

M. Linda (Downey) Soloski

July 4, 2016

I will always remember Stephanie with a smile thinking of our childhood friendship. RIP til we meet again, then hope the adventures continue.

Vincent & Marianna McCann

July 4, 2016

We will always treasure the many Wednesday dinners and Pinochle games we shared with Stephanie and we will love her forever!

Peggy Douglass

July 4, 2016

Dear Kathy and family,
My sincerest condolences on you sister's death. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.

Carolyn Sullivan

July 3, 2016

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

Mary & Arthur Borde

July 1, 2016

Although we haven't seen Stephanie since we/she retired, we are deeply saddened by her death. She was truly one of a kind, always had the "big and LOUD laugh", definitely spoke her mind and a friend in need during our careers. We are sure that she is leaving behind many new friends that she made during her retirement, as well as many many friends that she made during her 30 year career. Deepest sympathy to her family. She will be missed

June 30, 2016

She brought laughter to everyone that she met. We had a great time with her in Tokyo. She will be missed. Harry and June Shultz

Nancy (Plasse) Marchione

June 30, 2016

My sincere condolances to Kathy and Mary Ann on the passing of my friend Stephanie. We grew up together in Green Island...our houses back to back. Lots of fun memories of years long past. She was truly a wonderful person. I am so happy I got to spend an afternoon with Steph a few years ago driving to Vermont for a lunch get together with two of our friends from Green Island. We had a blast. We have lost a great lady and heaven has gained another angel. RIP Steph knowing you will be missed my many.

Sharon & Moe Levy

June 30, 2016

Stephanie was an angel in our lives helping us to raise grandson, Max. Her memory will always be as a blessing to our family.

Mary Beth & Dick Kustra

June 30, 2016

She was a person who filled the room with joy and happiness, and we shall miss her greatly. May she rest in peace and may perpetual light shine upon her.

Stephanie Schreiner

June 29, 2016

We knew Stephanie for many years, and were delightfully surprised to find that she had retired to Wilmington. She had such an upbeat and funny personality. Rest in peace Steph, you will be missed.

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