Stephanie Nicole Van Houten

Stephanie Nicole Van Houten, 38, of Highland, NY, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on March 4, 2022. Born on March 9, 1983, in Poughkeepsie, NY, she was the daughter of Bruce H. Bower and Patricia Volpe Bower.  She obtained a bachelor’s degree at Binghamton University and a master’s degree from SUNY New Paltz. On December 1, 2018, in Poughkeepsie, NY, she married Michael Van Houten, who survives at home. 

 Stephanie was an archaeologist, educator and administrator. She was an avid athlete and enjoyed playing softball, kayaking, kickball and cornhole, was a founding member of Cornhole Madness Events, and was a member of the Highland Dart League. She loved hiking, the mountains and her beloved fur babies. Stephanie always made sure her loved ones were having fun and feeling joy. She was caring and compassionate to everyone she knew and was the sweetest, most polite and genuine person you could ever meet.

 In addition to her husband Michael, she is survived by her mother, Patricia Volpe Bower; brother Nicholas Bower, his wife Jamie and their daughter Genevieve of Poughkeepsie; brother Bruce Bower, his wife Tara and their children Devin and his fiancée Sophia Stanford, Lauren and Cameron of Lagrangeville; sister Melissa Brauer, her husband Anthony and their daughter Autumn of Arizona; her fur babies Bucky and Ziggy; and many beloved family members and friends. She was predeceased by her father, Bruce H. Bower and her grandparents. 

 Visitation will be held on Wednesday, her birthday, from 3pm to 8pm at Joseph J. Darrow Sr. Funeral Home Inc., 39 So. Hamilton Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 (845)452-1840 and Thursday from 11am to 1pm with services beginning at 1pm.  Burial will follow at Pleasant Valley Cemetery in the family plot. If you wish to make a donation in Stephanie’s memory, please visit ALKpositive.org, whose mission is to improve the life expectancy and quality of life for ALK Positive cancer patients. To send online condolences please visit: www.darrowfuneralhome.org.

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