Good morning and thank you all for being here today to honor Steven. I'm Gretchen, and Steve was my little brother.

I want to give a special thank you to his two nephews (my boys — Wyatt & Gerrit), Tosh (Wyatt’s girlfriend) and my husband Greg, for making the trip from California to be here today — appreciate it so much.

As most of you know Steve had a life full of physical challenges due to a head injury sustained from a Bicycle accident when he was 8.
Dispite all that he was dealt with, he always had a great outlook. As an adult he was charming and mindful of others. He was a great listener and very comforting with his responses.

As a kid he was my best pal and side kick…
He was a great audience for goofy singing to Pinball Wizard and Saturday Night dance moves.

And a great backyard Houdini, when I convinced him to contort into our Guinea pig’s cage.

Or assist me in perfecting my Swinging Statue throw. (ending abruptly by the broken elbow incident)

…he was my dedicated side kick

Upon reading the comments on Steven’s Everloved Memorial site posted by friends, family, support staff, and day program advisors…
I took pause.

I discovered that my childhood side kick, had provided so much inspiration during his Arizona independence.

Independence. That was always his goal.

“I want to live on my own, away from mom and dad.” He’d say during Thanksgiving dinner. “You’ve got to get me outta here Gretch.”

Then about 10 years ago, Greg and I lived in Arizona. Mom and dad pitched the idea… and we helped Steve gain state residency to qualify for assisted living, in a real home with roommates, caregivers and his own pad.

It was an honor to help Steve fulfill his life long goal to live on his own.

Love you Stever-reeno