Our dearly beloved Stéphanie Gagnon-Torres passed peacefully on March 15, 2026, surrounded by the deep love and presence of her family.
There is now a Stéphanie-sized space in the world. For those who knew her, the depth of that absence is immeasurable. It is a space that will never be filled, only carried. To know her was to love her. Stéphanie was one of the most hilarious, loving, generous, kind, intelligent, witty, outlandish, and beautifully stubborn people to walk this earth.
Her infectious laugh and captivating storytelling brought life to every room she entered. She had a rare gift for making each person feel special, seen, and unconditionally loved. Stéphanie was a lover of all animals, but especially dogs. She specialized in dog training. She had an incredible gift for pup to person matchmaking and found many hundreds of shelter dogs their “furever” homes based on temperaments of both the person and their home, as well as the pup.
She also had her own beloved animals—her well-loved and well-trained dogs, Rug, Astro, Toast, Tie Dye, Katana, and Chicken, as well as her cat, Maui. In the weeks and months leading up to her passing, she was continuously surrounded by her family. Friends traveled from across the country to be by her side, a reflection of the profound love she cultivated throughout her life, being reflected back to her. The care, attention, and devotion that filled those final days spoke to the kind of person she was, someone who loved deeply and was deeply loved in return.
She took her final breath held in the company of those closest to her: her husband, parents, siblings and their spouses, including the nieces and nephews she adored. Her passing reflected the way she lived: surrounded by love, grounded in faith, and held in prayer. As a devout Catholic, Stéphanie’s belief in trust in Jesus was unwavering. Even through profound challenges, she remained anchored in devotion and faith, carrying a quiet strength and trust that inspired those around her. Stéphanie’s life is a testament to the impact one person can have.
The laughter she sparked, the connections she nurtured, and the love she gave so freely will continue to ripple through every life she touched. She is survived by her husband, David; her parents, Amanda and Francois; her siblings and their spouses, Phillip (Beth), Michael (Lindsey), Mandy (JP), Rachel (Tyler), Mark (Alicia), and Emily (Jeffrey); her aunt Hélène; her grandmother Rae; and her 25 cherished nieces and nephews and many beloved in-laws, cousins, aunts, uncles and friends.
No words can fully capture a life so vibrant and deeply felt. Her legacy lives on in the stories shared, the laughter remembered, and the love carried forward by all who knew her. She will be forever loved, deeply missed, and never forgotten.