Stephani Ann Warner
Our beloved Stephani Ann Warner was born on August 11, 1945, and passed away on February 19, 2024 after an extended illness. She was 78 years old and a long time resident of Santa Barbara. Stephani was the daughter of John and Beth Lafen. She is survived by her son Chad, and her sisters Tanya Enoch and Yvonne Kelly.
Stephani grew up in El Segundo and was a nature girl from the get-go. Among her favorite childhood memories were camping at Devil’s Post Pile near Mammoth Lake and fly-fishing with her father there. Stephani attended university, received her teaching credential, and ultimately became one of the most highly regarded teachers at Cold Spring School where she taught for thirty years.
Stephani was an outstanding teacher and her classroom was alive with activity. She invited students to paint on the windows, build sarcophagi for an Egyptian study, and hone horticultural skills in one of the three gardens that she started at Cold Spring. All students met Roald Dahl’s BFG after lunch when Ms. Warner read from her rocking chair. From these pages her pupils became known as “chiddlers”, and taught to be fine examples of “human beans.” Stephanie is lovingly remembered by both students and staff as playful, quick-witted, smart, and at times, wildly funny. She celebrated the individuality of all children, and they adored her.
The love of Stephani’s life was her son, Chad. He remembers trips to the Huntington Lake cabin, where they rode snowmobiles during winter. He also recalls countless projects and that he was in awe of how tirelessly she worked. In his words, “She did not stop until the job was done.” If you’ve seen Chad’s construction endeavors of late, clearly the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
Stephani’s other passions included her countless animals and outdoor activities. Ninja, eternally her “puppy,” and Nigel the cat were her soul mates from this menagerie. Unsurprisingly, Stephani was happiest when outside: at the cabin, in the garden, or camping. In later years her brother-in-law Gauge Enoch built a teardrop trailer for Stephani, satisfying a retirement dream. Forever the outdoorswoman, she could at last take advantage of the time her retirement afforded her and spend more hours in the places she loved best.
Stephani will be held closely in the hearts of those who knew and loved her. She was an indomitable spirit; she was a force of nature– and that incomparable laugh, unforgettable.
A Memorial Picnic (bring your own) will be held at Cold Spring School on Sunday June 9, 2024, at noon. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Humane Society or C.A.R.E.4Paws in Santa Barbara.