Stephanie Stein

Stephanie Stein, 63, passed away unexpectedly on January 4, 2023 at the Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle after a brief illness.

Stephanie was born on September 18, 1959 in Los Alamos, New Mexico to parents Carol and Paul Stein. She was the first daughter and the middle child of three.She began her academic journey at University of California, Santa Cruz from 1977-81 for her BA in Psychology. She then attended University of California, Santa Barbara from 1982-84 for a master’s degree in School Counseling, and finally, she went on to achieve her PhD in School Psychology at University of Oregon from 1984-87.

Stephanie moved to Ellensburg, Washington in 1989 where she began her career as a psychology professor at Central Washington University. Since 2005, Stephanie has been the chair of the psychology department, where her dedication to the success of the university has been widely felt by staff and faculty as she continues to be a role model, even in her absence. 

Stephanie enjoyed lengthy bike rides around the county with friends, planting flowers in her garden, indulging in a good book, and spending time with her family and cats. She was an active supporter of suicide prevention, including her continuous work to help pass HB 1138 in Washington State (Behavioral Health and Suicide Prevention in Higher Education). Stephanie was known to be a go-getter, always going above and beyond to help others achieve their goals, whether it be academic or personal. In the later years of her life, she was often spotted doing some sort of gardening, weeding, or “cleaning up” for the neighborhood, including the park adjacent to her home, located at the south of CWU campus. A tree will be planted there in her memory by loved ones and CWU faculty next to the memorial tree for her son, Daniel DeHollander.

Stephanie is survived by her kids, Sara Stein and Nicholas DeHollander; the father of her children, William DeHollander; her partner, Patrick Kelly; and her brother, Geoff Stein.

There will be an open house celebration of life held at 610 N Sampson Street in Ellensburg at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 26, 2023. Casual dress code and food is pot-luck style (both favorites of Stephanie).

Johnston & Williams Funeral Home and Crematory of Ellensburg has been entrusted with caring for Dr. Stein and her family.  Online condolences may be left at www.johnston-williams.com