Stefanie Ott-O’Toole, of The Villages, FL, a prominent fundraiser for the arts, education and family service organizations in Michigan, Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic Region died July 19, 2018 in The Villages, Florida. She was 76.
She is the daughter of Ed and Cecelia Ott of Hatboro, PA (both deceased). She is survived by her husband of 40 years, James O’Toole (The Villages, FL). Three cousins: Brook Thompson (Missoula, Montana) and John Thompson (New Hampshire) and Donald Mueller (Dublin, OH). Three step children, Vicki Munro (Hubbard Lake, Michigan), James T. O’Toole (Derry, New Hampshire) and Joan O’Toole (Casselberry, Florida). Five step-grand children: Michelle Munro-Kramer, Braelan O’Toole, Jeff Munro, Michael Munro, Sam Randazzo and three step-great grand children: Mason, Molly, and Nora.
After earning a bachelors degree from Allegheny College in Political Science in 1963, Stefanie went to work on Capitol Hill. She joined the staff of Senator Wayne Morse and the staff of Rep. William D. Ford (Michigan). After a taste of politics Stefanie in rapid order earned a teaching certificate at the University of Maryland and taught civics to middle school students. She recruited managerial candidates for Gimbels and joined Johnson & Johnson as a sales rep. Due to her Capitol Hill experience she moved up to government affairs staff in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
After marrying in May 1978 to James O’Toole of Michigan she entered the fund-raising field as Director of Development for Michigan Opera Theater. Fundraising positions included Marygrove College (where she earned her Masters Degree in Administration) Downriver Community Conference, Northwest Family Guidance Services, the Richmond Ballet (VA), and Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation. Stefanie concluded her working career with five years in the Human Resource Department of McKesson Corporation in Richmond.
She was an avid golfer and accomplished singer often performing in the Hatboro, PA Village Theatre. She was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority, Allegheny College Choir, Meadville, PA, the Richmond Ballet (VA), Washington D.C. Cathedral Choir, Rackham Choir, Detroit, and Seaway Chorale, Trenton, Michigan.
After retiring Stefanie volunteered to provide literacy to adults in Michigan and also assisted teachers in the Leesburg, Florida school system.
Celebration of Stefanie’s life will be held on Friday August 3, 2018 at 11 a.m. at New Covenant United Methodist Church, Woodridge Drive, The Villages, FL 32162.
In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested donations to the Alzheimer’s Family Organization: 461 Mariner Boulevard, Spring Hill, Florida 34609.
