Obituary of Stephanie Elizabeth McPhee

We are mourning the loss of Stephanie Elizabeth McPhee, who died unexpectedly on March 3rd, 2024 at the age of 23.  Stephanie attended Waldorf preschool, Santa Barbara Charter School, Santa Barbara Middle School, and Alta Vista High School. Stephanie graduated from Olive Grove Charter (High) School where she was honored to speak at commencement as Valedictorian of the Class of 2019. 

Stephanie was a gentle old soul, who was compassionate, empathetic, sensitive, insightful and extraordinarily creative.  Her passion for music, dance, writing and poetry was inspirational.  Stephanie loved spending time in nature, sitting with a book in the garden, doing yoga on the patio in the sunshine, walking on the beach, sleeping under the stars, appreciating the beauty of a sunset, the relentlessness of ocean waves, and the majesty of flowers in bloom. 

As a child she was frequently singing and dancing, and in grade school she was a prolific finger knitter, collager, and reader. She wrote her first book at age 5 called "My First Book". 

 Stephanie sang with the Young Singer’s Club, Girls Rock, and at Middle School's Songfest.  She was a member of the Proximity Theatre Company and was cast in several productions that featured powerful, expressive performances.  She was a talented writer of poetry and prose.  Stephanie was awarded a spot in a prestigious NYC Writers Conference in 2018 although she never attended.  In recent years Stephanie focused on photo and video arts, jewelry making, and journaling.  She received a scholarship to Naropa University

 in Boulder Co which she was planning to attend.

Stephanie is survived by her parents Doris and Greg, and brothers Dan and Ray.  The family takes some solace in that Stephanie is no longer feeling the pain of this world, and is so appreciative of a community that has wrapped its arms tightly around us, allowing us to grieve surrounded by love and support, allowing our ailing hearts to begin to heal.  

In honor of Stephanie, please consider a donation in Stephanie's name to the Art Fund at these schools:

Santa Barbara Charter School,

6100 Stow Canyon Rd., Goleta, CA 93117. 

Or donate via Venmo @sbcharter 

Please add the memo: “arts” or “in honor of Stephanie.”

Santa Barbara Middle School's

 Art Program, online at

“https://www.sbms.org/giving/support-sbms-today”

Please put “For Stephanie" or "Arts Fund" in the comment section; 

Calling hours will be Monday, March 18th, from 4PM to 7PM at McDermott-Crocket & Associates Mortuary, 2020 Chapala Street, Santa Barbara, 93105. 

A Memorial Service is planned for Tuesday March 19th at 1pm at Unity of Santa Barbara Spiritual Community Center 227 E Arrellaga St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101.

The memorial service at Unity will be live streamed. You are welcome to email: jparks@mcdermottcrockett.com for the link or copy this link into your browser: https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/6927939184

Please go to www.mcdermottcrockett.com to visit Stephanie's Tribute Page to leave messages of love for her family and community. You are also welcome to upload pictures that you would like to share there. 

Arrangements entrusted to McDermott-Crockett Mortuary