Browse the obituary of residing in the province of Ontario for funeral details
Stephanie Pollack (nee Wheeler) May 30, 1974-February 10, 2024
Gone but impossible that she will be forgotten. Stephanie left us with endless moments of wisdom, memories that we can laugh about for the years to come, and we cannot think about Steph without hearing her laughter, one liner’s and of course her non-sugar-coated advice. Steph had a way with words;)
Steph was a helper. As a teenager, Steph worked at New Leaf Living & Learning supporting individuals with dual diagnosis, and complex disabilities. Steph went on to work for the Simcoe County District School Board as an Educational Assistant working in various schools and programs throughout her years. Steph was a team player, a confidant, and a role model for many. Steph was constantly curious about every human and made it her mission to enlighten and brighten each of their days. She worked tirelessly at thinking outside the box and creating programming that benefited the students she supported, while being a rock-solid support to her colleagues often fell victim to her pranks.
In 2017 Steph was diagnosed with ALS and in true Steph fashion, she accepted this new challenge in her life and renamed it Al’s. Steph decided early on that she would not be defined by ALS and instead tucked it in her back pocket. This was her next chapter, her new relationship, and she was going to nurture and value the lessons and wisdom that came with the diagnosis. As ALS progressed, limiting her physical body, Steph took that opportunity to invite support into her home to be her hands so that Steph could continue to be a helper in other ways. She used her mind and BIG heart to reach out, inspiring all of us. She continued to help her community through fundraisers, sharing food pantry, an initiative to install an accessible mat on the beach for wheelchair users, she supported people in the ALS community, and she used social media platform to make us laugh with her stories, educate us about ALS, but more importantly incite and inspire us to evaluate our own perspective on life. She believed that the dash is so much more important than the dates that it is sandwiched between.
Stephanie loved hard and therefore leaves an unmeasurable void in the lives of her family and friends. Stephanie is survived by her devoted husband Peter Pollack (Big Bird) as she called him, her amazing son, whom she shares her humour with, Blake Ryde (Kori Joyes), her parents Bill and Sharlotte Wheeler, her brother Michael Wheeler (Lisa), sisters in law; Heidi Skorza (Nik) and Sabrina Pollack (Robert) as well as her fur babies Autumn and Maple and her Tribe (Tammy, Kim, Lara, and Georgia)
The family would like to take this time to thank “Steph’s hands”. Without the care and love of her PSW’s, Steph would not have been able to continue her journey in the comfort of her own home and for that we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Paige, Carissa, Belinda, Maggie, Shelly, Michelle, Andrea, Melissa, Kim, Jennifer, Laura, and Jessie. We also want to thank Dr. Shoesmith, Denise, and Connie, and our LHIN team, Lisa C, Sarah, Carleigh, Helen, Barb, Monique, and Rose.
Cremation has taken place. Steph did not want a funeral; she would like a fun-er-all filled with laughter and stories. So, we will honour this Beautiful, Sassy Classy soul at a later date. Stay tuned.
If her story moved you and you want to donate in her name, donations will be accepted by Ostrander’s funeral home and will be distributed directly to the local charities and organizations Steph was passionate about.
Saturday February 10th 2024
Death notice for the town of: Tillsonburg, Province: Ontario
death notice Stephanie Ann Pollack Wheeler Saturday February 10th 2024
obituaries notice Stephanie Ann Pollack Wheeler Saturday February 10th 2024
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Stephanie Ann Pollack Wheeler Saturday February 10th 2024 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
