Obituary of Stephanie Lee Mahnken

Stephanie Lee Mahnken “Stephy” left her mark on this world and went to be with the Lord on February 16, 2024. She was 45 years young.  Born on June 29, 1978, she was a warrior who battled daily and lived each day with gratitude and love.  She survived an aortic aneurysm in 2015, where she was ultimately diagnosed with Marfan’s Syndrome, a rare genetic disease.  She underwent thoracoabdominal repair surgery in November 2023. Stephanie became a champion and spokesperson of the disease, sharing her story at the Marfan Foundation & UPMC Symposium held on October 14, 2023.  Stephanie made the heroic decision to share her story and spread awareness to the debilitating risks and signs of her disease.  Stephy proudly grew up in the Lake Hopatcong section of Jefferson Township and was a graduate of Jefferson Township HS in 1996.  She resided in Dillonvale, OH.

Stephy was a bright light and loved hard with no judgement.  She was compassionate and a true giver of joy and comfort to everyone!  She loved her friends (new or old) and loved her family harder. She would meet strangers and they would become family.  She lived her life with rose colored glasses and a smile that filled the room.  She would dance like no one was watching (even though she knew they were). Stephy enjoyed music festivals and coined herself “WINDGAP FAMOUS”.  She inherited her compassion and deep-rooted love of music and people from her loving parents. She was the best parts of both of them.

Stephy found passion in her work and a home away from home at Direct Online Marketing as a Senior Digital Marketing Account Manager for the last ten years.  DOM is where she found an amazing work community and family, that embraced her creativity, drive, and compassion.   

She leaves behind her loving mother Patricia Rogalaksy, father James Mahnken & his partner Jan Bezold, sister Jeanette “Netty” Mahnken & her partner Russell Capraun. Also, her siblings: Aimee Woolf, Lisa Young, Bobby Rogalsky, Taylor Faust. Aunt Susan “Suzie” & Anthony “Uncle T” Lawson, Uncle Robert “Buff” Ruggiero & Aunt Donna, Uncle Ronald “Ronnie” Mahnken. Her beloved cousins, Justin & Jamie Ruggiero, Stacy, Alexa & Kamryn Bolzan, Her longtime partner Sean Foley and fur baby Keelah. She leaves behind many loved cousins, nieces, nephews, godchildren, and endless friends.  Stephy was loved by many and has left a huge hole in the hearts of those she touched.

Predeceased by:  Grandparents Alfred and Margaret Ruggiero & Josephine Runyon, Stepfather Frank Rogalsky, Daddy-O Charles “Charlie” Brozuski and cousin Ron Mahnken Jr.

Visitation, Friday, February 23, 2024, from 3:00PM – 6:30PM with a Funeral Service to follow, starting at 6:30PM at Tuttle Funeral Home, Randolph. The family please requests you come in your brightest colors, preferably rainbow tie-dye.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Stephy’s honor to the Marfan Foundation using the link below:

"After a Lifetime, I Get to Be Proactive" - Marfan Foundation