Stefanie Leigh Stegman

On September 16, 2022 the world lost a shining light. Stefanie Stegman (Bendon), 36, passed quietly at home in Delmar, NY. Beautiful inside and out, her inner light drew people into her orbit. She was brilliant, funny, generous, goofy, talented and sang like an angel. She was a gifted and creative chef, having spent a summer in Denali National Park, Alaska as a fine dining chef. She loved hiking, reading, family holidays, European travel and adventure and was crazy about Disney World. But more than anything, she loved her family.

As a child Stef was a ham and made everyone laugh. She loved to perform on stage in community theater productions. She attended Bethlehem Schools and HVCC on a Presidential Scholarship majoring in biotechnology. She was a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. She was able to exercise her love and talent for cooking when she and her partner established successful businesses Knox Cafe in Knox, NY and The Crowing Hen Cafe in Clarksville, NY.

She was a wonderful mother. The center of her universe was her daughter, McKenna Ward. In 2021 she was predeceased by her son Cullen Ward and her heart never healed. She is joining him with the angels. She also leaves many broken hearts including her parents Donald and Rebecca Stegman of Delmar; beloved brothers Erik Stegman (Kerstine) and nephew Jordan of Florida, and Dieter Stephan of Germany; Michael, Brayden, Riley and Ashland Ward; many dear friends including her former husband, Christopher Bendon; as well as several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Relatives and friends are invited to call on Friday, September 23 from 4 to 7 pm at Applebee Funeral home, 403 Kenwood Ave., Delmar.  A funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 24 at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home.