Stephanie R. Mendez

Stephanie Renee Mendez, age 27, passed away at home in Byron on December 1, 2024. She was born on February 3, 1997, the daughter of Carlos and Breanna (Brooks) Mendez. Stephanie had an amazing sense of humor and a heart full of love bringing smiles and light into every room she entered. A woman of simple pleasures, Stephanie found contentment in the little things in life. She cherished the moments spent stopping to smell the flowers, reveling in the scents of candles, and savoring anything the world had to offer that smelled good. She loved being an aunt and nothing was better to her than heartfelt snuggles from her little niece and nephew. Stephanie was a devout lover of all animals though she had an extra soft spot for her puppies. She enjoyed and participated in therapeutic horse riding, embracing the freedom it offered while it was still a part of her life. She loved travelling and the outdoors especially going on camping trips with her family. But, she was still a girly girl who adored going shopping. She loved seeing new things and all the world had to offer. During quieter times, she delighted in watching Hallmark movies with her mom and cheering on her favorite sports teams, the Raiders and the Dodgers, with her dad. But, more than anything Stephanie's biggest love in life was her family. She loved spending time with all of them and never took it for granted. She is survived and missed by her parents, Carlos Mendez and Breanna Mendez of Byron, siblings, Jonathan Mendez of Byron and Christian (Margaret) Mendez of Rockford; grandparents, Linda (James) Kricfalusi of Anaheim, CA, Michael (Sharon) Brooks of Downey, CA and Linda Mendez of Guatemala; niece and nephew, Savannah and Owen; aunt, Lacey Brooks of St. Augustine, FL; great aunt, Anita Taillon of Apple Valley, CA; and many cousins, aunts, uncles, and loved ones. A funeral service celebrating her well lived life will be held at 1:00 PM at Farrell Holland Gale Funeral Home in Byron with Pastor Ramon Orozco officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 12:00 PM. In lieu of flowers donations may be directed to the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation, a link is provided below.