Monterey, CA

Passed away peacefully on April 5th from Parkinson’s Disease with her daughter by her side. She was born in Somerset, Massachusetts and moved to the Monterey Peninsula as an infant. She attended local schools, Larkin Elementary, Walter Colton Jr. High and Junipero High School.

She began her long rewarding customer service career in her father’s dry cleaning business in Seaside at the age of 12. This is where she learned and developed her gift of gab. She eventually opened her own dry cleaning business with her husband Don in downtown Monterey.

Rainbow Dry Cleaners became one of the downtown area’s most long-standing successful businesses with 40 years to their credit. They sponsored numerous Pony Baseball teams during that period and the former players would often stop in to see the younger versions of themselves on the wall of fame and grab arainbow lollipop.

Stephanie created a warm and friendly environment with her customers and witnessed generations grow up through the years. It was her kind and generous spirit that had such a loyal following.

She cherished time with family. Her granddaughters were her greatest joy and she treasured attending their sports events, spending time in the kitchen making her famous Olallieberry jam, and vacationing together. Summers spent at the lake with her family and lake family are some of the fondest memories. Stephanie had a love of animals and sponsored the Herald’s pet page. She was always a willing resource for trying to find a new home for apet. She could be found on the recreation trail with Don walking their two huskies, Troy and Kira.

She is survived by her daughter, Jaymie Cecilio (Jeff), granddaughters, Sophia and Sarina, her sisters Karen Romano, Toni Francis, brother Steve Romano, nephews and nieces. Her husband Don preceded her in death in 2019.

She leaves behind her warm, loving, and compassionate spirit in the hearts of all that had the privilege of knowing her. Her family is comforted by knowing that she and Don are together again, cruising Heaven.

Private family services are arranged. Memorial contributions may be made in her honor to the SPCA of Monterey County.