About 500 community members gathered at Thursday to remember South Pas resident Stephanie Glazier, who they say will be forever missed for her loving smile and effervescent spirit.
"Stephanie brought people together, she brought families together, and she brought her girlfriends together," her close friend Michele Downing said at the services.
"When it was time to rally around someone—and either celebrate or console—Steph led the way."
Whether it was helping coordinate or co-founding —a group of women in town who would plant pink flamingos in each other's lawn for birthdays and other celebrations—Glazier was always involved with South Pas in some way.
She served on as a board member and co-president and was a "tireless advocate for children in the community," said Downing.
In November 2010, Glazier was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent chemotherapy—but colleagues say it didn't change her attitude one bit.
"Her spirit was non-stop. She absolutely loved what she did," said co-worker Michael Freede at Thursday's services. "If you hadn't known she was battling breast cancer for a year, you would have never known she was sick at all."
Glazier moved to South Pas 16 years ago with her husband Bill Glazier, longtime editor of the , and their son Michael, to take a job with Disney Stores.
Over her career, she held corporate positions at other prestigious companies including Banana Republic and I. Magnin. Most recently, she worked as a buyer for TJ Maxx orchestrating multi-million dollar deals every day.
Bill and Michael thanked the community Thursday for the countless cards, phone calls, text messages and e-mails that have spilled in since
"We are so thankful to hear those far and near—from the East Coast to right here, this wonderful community of South Pasadena," read family friend Jeanne Colliau on Bill and Michael's behalf. "We especially want to thank a close-knit group of women in town ... for their love and devotion in organizing a Celebration of Life for Stephanie."
"We'll appreciate Stephanie as a loving wife and a loving mother who without reservation and steadfast devotion made our lives so much easier and so special."
