Stephanie Ann (Schill) McLean's Obituary
Stephanie Ann (Schill) McLean of Lakeland, Florida, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Monday, March 4, 2024, following a private cancer battle over the past year. She was 63.
Stephanie was born in Pensacola, Florida, to the late John H. Schill, Jr., and Gloria Gabriel Schill. She attended Sacred Heart School, where, in first grade, she made 3 of her lifelong best friends. At Catholic High School, she made 5 more, and her commitment to community involvement came to life through swim, softball, soccer, Bleacher Bums Pep Club, yearbook, drama and disco clubs, Volunteen, and peer counseling.
It was in college, at the University of South Alabama, that Stephanie studied Education, joined Zeta Tau Alpha sorority, held multiple leadership positions and planned a million events, but most importantly, met, and later, married Greg McLean. For 42 years the two were inseparable in their love and support for each other and their families and friends, and most especially for their beautiful and brilliant daughter, Mallory Ann.
There may be some that are equal, but none more energetic, passionate, and committed to positivity and community involvement than Stephanie. To her mother, she was “Merry Sunshine,” and her father forever proclaimed: If you want something done wrong, don’t ask Stephanie to do it.
Her choices enacted the Butterfly Effect, creating connections and change, with all of her ideas and efforts, large and small, bringing people together and spinning happiness, energy, and change in every step, every day.
Stephanie did not judge; she solved. She was unwavering and loyal, gracious and kind, exponentially generous, endlessly motivated, and always, always in charge. At the ready with lists and binders so not a detail was ever missed, and no person was overlooked.
Stephanie loved tailgates, parties, celebrations, and turning anything into a celebration, particularly when she could plan and host. In no particular order, she adored porch flags, door wreaths, cocktail napkins, marching bands, fresh flowers, pedicures, college football, Lily Pulitzer, cats, and Jimmy Buffett. Nowhere made her happier than the beach.
Always leading by example, Stephanie was devoted to physical fitness. Meticulous nutrition, 3-mile walks, boot camp were part of her daily routine. She never missed a screening.
Stephanie worked as hard as she played and was an unstoppable force in her work for multiple organizations in the Lakeland area, including Good Shepherd Hospice, Prevent Blindness Florida, the LRH Foundation. Nearest to her heart, though, and for 25 years, was the American Cancer Society. Her passion was greatest and most visionary in creating and leading healthcare partnerships to benefit cancer patients throughout the state of Florida.
And after work, Stephanie worked some more. She belonged to so many organizations and sat on so many boards! Those included Junior Leagues of Pensacola and Greater Lakeland, fulfilling a 2-year term as President, and then in an advisory role as Sustainer; VISTA, Kiwanis of Lakeland, Learning Resource Center, Leadership Lakeland, South Lakeland Rotary, Association of Fundraising Professionals, Tampa Bay Planned Giving Council, Lakeland Campfire USA, and Lakeland Boys & Girls Club. And, what you read here is a surface-scratch, a mere composite. Stephanie was so much more than the sum of her accomplishments.
Stephanie was preceded in death by her parents, John and Gloria Schill, and is survived by her husband, Greg, their daughter, Mallory Frechette (Dylan), and their special light and love, granddaughter, Margot James; her brother, Lawrence Schill, and sister, Alexandra Bach (Cliff Wilson); nieces, Zoe Bach and Carolyn Schill Sweeney (Andrew) and nephews, Madison Schill, Ethan Schill, and George Bach, and great-nephew, Patterson Sweeney; countless friends including the Lakeland Ladies with whom she relished daughter-raising, lake-walking, summer beach vacations, and a host of other adventures.
And, by leaving us on March fourth, she quietly gave us that final set of instructions: March forth and do all the good things, big and small, to continue to change the world.
The family would like to thank Stephanie’s care team at the Hollis Cancer Center, and for her comfort at the end, Good Shepherd Hospice.
A funeral mass will be held on Friday, March 15, 10:45 am, at Resurrection Catholic Church in Lakeland. A celebration on Pensacola Beach will be held in December, just the way Stephanie liked it.
In lieu of flowers, please continue Stephanie’s ACS legacy with contributions to the Hope Lodge in Tampa.
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