Stephanie Ann Hopoate's Obituary
Our beloved Stephanie Ann Hopoate, age 41, slipped away in the early hours of Thursday, June 13, 2013 surrounded by family and friends. After suffering from two consecutive cardiac arrests, our dear "Stepherz" was called home into the loving arms of her Heavenly Father, joyously reuniting with her twin brother, Stephan Andrew Hopoate, and nephew, Sione Hafoka Mapa, Jr. She was born May 20, 1972 in Tonga to Siosifa Fotukava Hopoate and Susan Rae Jarvis and came to Utah in 1976. She was an active teenager, and participated in soccer and other church sports with her siblings.
In life, Stephanie was a free spirit, and drew others in with her easy smile and charismatic catchphrase, "OISH!" She always offered her nieces and nephews dollars for footrubs and back scratches that never seemed to materialize, though these nieces and nephews will always cherish the one-on-one times they were able to have with their aunt Steph.
She is survived by 16 siblings, 35 nieces and nephews, 6 grandnephews and 2 grandnieces, her parents and her step-mother, Debra Hopoate. She is preceeded in death by her twin brother, Stephan Andrew Hopoate, and nephew, Sione Hafoka Mapa, Jr.
Her family and friends would like to thank the medical professionals who cared for our Stephanie and helped make her transition as peaceful and pain-free as possible. Thank you so very much.
Funeral Services will be held Friday, June 21. A viewing and program will take place at 9:00 a.m. at 10375 S Leilani Drive, Sandy, UT. The funeral will follow at 11:00 a.m. Interim will be held at Lake Hills Cemetary, located at 10055 S State Street. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made at any Wells Fargo bank under "Stephanie Hopoate" to help offset funeral costs.
What’s your fondest memory of Stephanie?
What’s a lesson you learned from Stephanie?
Share a story where Stephanie's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Stephanie you’ll never forget.
How did Stephanie make you smile?