Stephanie Daniele (Gish) Ruane, 49, passed away peacefully Sept. 22, 2024, bathed in love and surrounded by her family. Stephanie, known as Steph, was born in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and previously lived in Lebanon and Hershey, Pennsylvania. She resided in Middletown for the past 22 years.
Steph worked as supervisor of substance abuse and social services at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution and was loved and respected by her coworkers and clients alike. She truly loved her career. She was a thought leader in her field and was often sought after for her insights on treatment in the penal environment. While Steph was small in stature, she was a giant in attitude. You always knew where you stood with her.
She is survived by her husband Brian, whom she was married to since 2001; parents, Mary Anne Ruane and Mike and Barbara Ruane; siblings Michael and Nancy Ruane, Patrick Ruane and Lindsay Dewis, Kelly and Chris Dalmass, Kevin and Vicki Ruane, James and Ali Ruane, and Tom Ruane and Courtney Speck; John Paul and Pam King; and her nieces and nephews, Megan, Tom, Jeremy, Andrea, Tim, Nicole, Kiera, Luciano, Armand, Logan, Julia, Johnny, Liam, Bridget, Kieran, Carter and great-niece Maggie.
She was predeceased by her mother Peggy King and her father Angelo Graci.
Steph dearly loved all animals, most of all her dogs, Bella and Ekho. There wasn’t an animal she did not want to pet and take home. She loved spending time at the beach, hanging out with her family and busting chops with friends. She was fiercely loyal and inspired loyalty in others. An avid traveler, she loved excursions with family and friends all over the globe.
Steph had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to laugh! She enjoyed the simplest of jokes as well as sharp wit and was a virtuoso with sarcasm. She was never one to shy away from colorful banter and was happy to engage with all willing participants.
She will be dearly missed by everyone whose lives she touched.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Steph’s name to an animal care charity of your choice.
Visitation and family eulogies for Stephanie were held Sept. 25 at Evergreen Memorial Funeral Home, Middletown.
The article originally appeared in the September 26 – October 2, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
