Stephanie was born on July 30, 1967, in Garden Grove, California, born to Kenneth Karr Woods and Sallie Theresa (Breen) Woods. Raised in the sunshine of Anaheim, California, alongside her younger brother, Zackery. Both children enjoyed swimming and competed in swim clubs. Later, the family moved to Reno, Nevada, where she attended Reno High School, but before completing, the family moved, and settled in Stevenson, Washington, after purchasing the infamous Spar Tree restaurant and bar.

After graduating from Stevenson High School in 1985, Stephanie married Dwayne John Hathaway (Sr) and moved back to California, as a Navy wife to the United States Navy Corpsman. The young couple had two children. Justine Kathryn was born in 1987 followed by Dwayne John Jr. in 1990. Unfortunately, the marriage dissolved in 1993. Stephanie and the children came “home” to Stevenson.

Stephanie began working in the family restaurant as a cook and server. Later she became a bartender where she excelled at keeping up good, positive energy for the patrons with her gift of conversation, big laugh, great service and the ability to get the whole crowd signing along with the jukebox.

This is where she met her second husband, Phillip John Kurtz. A Navy veteran working as an electrician at the local plywood mill.

Stephanie and Phillip married in 1994. In 1997, a little sister was added, Reed Sallie. Stephanie began a new career as a nail technician. About the time her career was taking off, the devastation of a house fire took little Reed from the family. It was difficult for the family but out of this tragedy, Stephanie, Phillip, and Rocio (Rosie) Marquez would build a new salon. Reed’s Salon became “that” small town salon we all know of. Stephanie’s gift of conversation, big laugh, great service along with Rosie’s hair cutting skill and professionalism made it the place “where you go”.

Covid changed everyone’s world, and Reed’s Salon suffered the fate of so many businesses. Stephanie was very happy and proud when her long time, close friend Rosie, opened a small salon, and kept the name’s sake of her little girl.

The covid lockdown was very hard on Stephanie. She needed to be around people. She made it her life’s choice to be out and about. To talk, laugh, sing, dance and enjoy being with people. In the years after covid, that is what she did.

Stephanie passed away quietly with her husband by her side.

Stephanie is survived by her brother Zachery Woods; children Justine (Hathaway) Newman and Dwayne Hathaway Jr.; the latest love of her life, granddaughter Octavia Reed Newman, grandma’s little show stopper. She was preceded in death by her parents.

The family is not planning a memorial celebration but we invite you to talk, laugh, sing, dance and enjoy being with people just as much as Stephanie did.