I was Stephanie’s friend for many years. I knew her and Leo very
well. Through the good times and the bad. And as strange as it may
sound they did really love each other.
I was Stephanie’s friend for many years. I knew her and Leo very well. Through the good times and the bad. And as strange as it may sound they did really love each other.
But in this case love wasn’t enough. Stephanie battled for many years on how or if should she leave Leo and when the time finally came she was scared! She hated taking Lance from his dad but she knew in the end it would be the best thing for her, Lance and her older daughter. I have to say I was very proud of her to gather the courage and the strength it took to leave and to try to start a new life. The stress of trying to work in the court system was unbelievable! But Steph just kept trying to work in the system and rebuild her life. She was not going to give up!
I spoke to her on the day she died and she was excited about being on her own and having her own apartment, even though it was in Hollister and she was terrified.
She said to me that all she needed now was a iron and a can opener. Little did she know that the package she missed that day had those very items and more. It was a house warming gift from her friend.
It’s very hard to think about all the memories of 25 years we shared together and all the ones we will miss, but it gives me hope to read your paper and see how many people’s lives this story has touched. I sincerely hope this tragedy is never forgotten and the people of Hollister find Stephanie’s strength to fight. Let all who was involved, including Judge Tobias, know we will not let this happen again!
Peter Rondalyn Lim,
Sacramento
