Stephanie Victoria Hughes

Stephanie Victoria Hughes passed away at age 56 at Banner Baywood hospital. Stephanie was born in Williams Arizona but lived most of her life in Mesa Arizona. Stephanie was a homemaker, a member of Celebrate Recovery and a proud rescue cat mom. Stephanie enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, cooking, going to the pool, and the outdoors. Stephanie was survive by her daughter, Chastity Hughes (Kyle Serrano) and Mark Hughes. Two grandsons, Daxton Hughes and Raider Hughes-Serrano. Her sisters; Heidi Rojo, Jeannie Ballard and Laura Hughes-Stiverson, brothers; Mickey Gibbs and Skyler Gibbs and many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her brother Mark Carrizosa. She was predeceased by her parents; Bonnie Gonzalez and Victor James Hughes and many kitty cats that she loved dearly. Stephanie‘s memorial service will be held at Legacy Funeral Home in Chandler on June 23, 2023 from 12 - 3 PM. Eulogy Stephanie Victoria Hughes passed away at 56 years old, June 3, 2023 at Banner Baywood Hospital, surrounded by her loving children Mark Hughes and Chastity Hughes. Stephanie was born in Williams, Arizona to Bonnie Jean Gibbs and Victor James Hughes. She grew up with her Mom and 4 siblings; Heidi Rojo, Skyler Gibbs, Mickey Gibbs and was preceded in death by her baby brother Mark Carrizosa. Later in life, she met her little sister, Laura Hughes-Stiverson, who shared the same biological father and Jeannie Ballard who share the same mother. Stephanie was blessed with her daughter, Chastity Celise Hughes (Beauty) in 1991. In 2007, 16 years later Mark Andrew Eugene Hughes (Poopoo nunu) came to rock her world. It was at this time. Stephanie became very involved with the sober living community and Celebrate Recovery for the next several years. She was very proud of her accomplishment to become certified as a Peer Support Specialist. All of Stephanie’s life and relationships improved. Stephanie was very kind and compassionate woman. She cared very deeply for every living thing, especially her children, her family, friends, and most importantly her cats. Stephanie and Mark had their own cat rescue. Five of them on average, indoors and a couple on the patio. Stephanie, Mark, and Chastity live next-door to her mother, Bonnie’s apartment. Stephanie cooked them all dinner every night. These feisty women kept that neighborhood in check. Nobody got away with anything without them knowing. With her feisty attitude, and no crap taking personality, she put on her tie dyed shirt, favorite lipstick, Jesus sandals, and go to her favorite meeting at celebrate recovery to see all of her friends. Stephanie enjoyed cooking and frequently would bring the apartment front ladies down a pan of enchiladas to make their day better. Stephanie would be the first to tell you she was certifiably crazy, 5150. However, there was a not person that Stephanie wouldn’t stop and talk to. If it was a homeless person standing outside the store, she would offer them a cigarette and chat with them. Stephanie was so happy when she became a grandmother in 2012 to Daxton Hughes and then again 10 years later to Raider Hughes-Serrano. A great day to her would be going to the pool with them or to the park to see the ducks. Together the families would make no bake cookies or gingerbread houses. Stephanie always had a relationship with Jesus. Just like any long relationship, it was complicated. Pastor James played a big part in her life and helping navigate this relationship. Those left to cherish her memory are left to inherit all of her crosses, Jesus pictures, dream catchers, wolf pictures, and three other generations of cherished items. Stephanie collected everything. It all carried a special place in her heart. There are unique emotions and challenges associated with losing someone as loving as Stephanie to addiction. Sometimes we question if we might have done “too much” or “too little.” We always hope we will get them back. We all have our truth. In that truth is the daughter, the mother, the sister, the friend we all loved. The illness of addiction also has its own truth. In all honesty, she was harder on herself than any of us could have been. Stephanie lost the battle with her addiction. We should always remember Stephanie for who she really was and not let the addiction take that away from her. Her legacy is not the addiction but the person she was in her heart and the reason we all loved her. In memory of Stephanie, put on your tie-dye shirt, favorite lipstick, and listen to some Zac Brown. Hug your kitties and make some enchiladas or no bake chocolate cookies.