Steph was such a beautiful soul , she always made time for my son, answering his seven year old, sometimes inappropriate questions with grace and humour! She would take an interest in our lives, when I’ve no doubt she had a lot going on in hers.
Stephania would help others selflessly with their bags and prams, always put on a smile to greet you and never expect anything in return.
We would laugh over the perks of parenthood as my son would stomp past on a bad day, she to me, was selfless and you could feel the heart of gold she had radiate from her.
Passing through the subway this morning and seeing the tributes and passers by, that are usually racing through to catch their trains , stopping and taking a moment to remember Steph , was surreal, for no use of a better word. It’s indicative of the lives she touched and the spirit of our community here.
I wish there was a way that could be passed onto her family in Italy - to know she was noticed and remembered with kindness. That people cared because she was a lovely person.
This is extremely sad - I had no idea until I saw the tributes this morning, and they knocked me for six.
I’d like to make a donation to any organisation that might have given her support throughout her difficult times. Does anybody know if she ever got help from a particular charity or support scheme?
If Stefania’s funeral is in the UK, it would be good to post details here. I am sure that a lot of Forest Hill folks would attend, as Stefania was very much part of the community.
May she rest in peace now. Whilst it’s sad, I do feel a bit of relief that she can rest in peace. And i felt the same about people in my own family who suffered long term mental health or physical problems they couldn’t recover from.
Like so many others, I am absolutely devasted about this news, she was in such pain with her knee earlier this week. Its the first time I’ve seen her cry - wish I’d hugged her rather than just wipe away her tears.
I passed thorugh the subway earlier and think I heard someone say that her family back home have been made aware. It would be wondeful to know if there is a fund set up for her funeral or her family.
She was so proud of this video:
Thank you so much for sharing this. I saw Stefania on most days for the past few years, and she was always so happy, caring, loving, and generous with her smile, despite the personal challenges, pain and suffering she was going through. This video is heartbreaking (it made me feel even closer to her), but so important, as it shows that the life she had is one shared by many, and that she is still a ‘normal’ person who deserved love, compassion and time - not someone to be ignored, or judged for her ‘choices’. no one can ever know what she was going / had went through, and none of us are ever in a position to stand tall over others and judge them. I only heard the news today, and I felt a depth of sadness as if for a very close friend, even though we only had casual chats, exchanges pleasantries, cigarettes and often some Ferfect Chicken (of course) and the occasional drunk hug on the way back from the Dartmouth arms. She was a beautiful person. May you have every happiness in the next life, or wherever you are now.x
I read on the thread that someone was hoping to make a donation to a charity that was ‘close to Stefania’. When I was walking home last night I met two representatives from Thames Reach – a charity for the homeless – I understand from
them that they had been assisting with Stefania’s case. Perhaps we could list this charity on the email thread.
I think it would be worth fact-checking this - it was late in the evening and Thames Reach were attempting to resolve the rough sleeping activity around the Library.
Really heartbreaking. I only learnt this morning, and really moved by the tributes. I saw Steph, perhaps on Tuesday, and she said she had fallen off the stairs and injured her knee. While I was speaking to her, two men came along, and said they will accompany her to the hospital. I am not sure if they went then or later.
I didn’t know Steph much; we exchanged smiles and had brief chats, but it felt like there was a connection.
Will be looking out for updates on funeral / mural / donations.
Like so many others, I am absolutely devasted about this news, she was in such pain with her knee earlier this week. Its the first time I’ve seen her cry - wish I’d hugged her rather than just wipe away her tears.
