Stephanie Louise Pruitt-Klippel

1957 - 2016

Stephanie Louise Pruitt-Klippel

Ventura

STEPHANIE LOUISE PRUITT-KLIPPEL was diagnosed with Stage-4 brain cancer at the end of June 2013. After a courageous 3 year battle, she passed away on September 20th. She was born on September 17, 1957 in Hollywood, California and came to live in Ventura when she was 18 months old.

Stephanie attended Sheridan Way and El Camino Elementary Schools, Anacapa Junior High School, and graduated from Buena High School in 1975. She attended Ventura Junior College and graduated from CSUN in 1992 with a BS Degree in Radio, Television, & Film. She worked in the recording industry for several years prior to teaming up with her husband and working at his business in Santa Barbara until her diagnosis.

Stephanie was a very private person who didn't like surprises. She was strong willed and always wanted to be the one in control. She had a great laugh and loved all of the holidays especially Christmas; she loved to give gifts to friends and family as well as receive them. She was a typical California girl who loved the ocean and getting a tan. A few of her favorite things were: music, concerts at the Santa Barbara Bowl, movies, television, travel, a party, a good glass of wine, her dogs (Wally, Dizzy, & Miles) and fashion. She was a writer and a poet who was known to always speak her mind and stand up for her rights and the rights of others. She was a loyal friend, with some friendships extending back to early childhood.

Stephanie leaves behind her husband of 18 years, James Klippel; her mother, Jeanne Banta Pruitt; her aunt Louise Banta Sharp; and cousins Lynn Sharp Klope, Diane Ramsey Foskett, Patrick Ramsey, Michael Ramsey, Theresa Miler, and Rebekah Miler-Lyles. She was preceded in death by her father, Larry Pruitt; grandparents, Robert Banta, Lee & Nona Miler, and Robert & Aileen Pruitt; Aunts La Reta Banta Taylor and Janet Miler Reed; Uncle Larry Miler, and Wally Dog.

The family would like to thank her caregiver, Tori, for the excellent care she provided over the past 1 1/2 years. We would also like to thank Stephanie's loyal friends who visited often during her illness: Beth, Ralph, Bridget, Anne, Charlie, Laura, Roberta, and Traci. Thanks also to Buena Vista Hospice, who made her comfortable during the last few weeks of her life. She was cremated and a memorial service will be announced at a later date.