Stephanie Elizabeth Bristow

It is with the heaviest of hearts that the Bristow family must announce the passing of beloved wife, mother, daughter, granddaughter, and friend Stephanie Elizabeth Bristow. After a long battle with depression, Stephanie succumbed to her illness by taking her own life on March 23, 2015. The severity of Stephanie's illness contrasted starkly to the lightness of being that she exuded in life. She had an engaging and warm smile, an infectious laugh, and a tender heart. Stephanie dedicated her studies and career to advocating for mental health. She graduated from West Texas A&M with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work and with honors from The University of Texas with a Master of Science Degree in Social Work. Stephanie volunteered for Texas Home Health Hospice, the Austin Humane Society, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Those who knew Stephanie best recall her kind, adventurous, and playful spirit. She surprised us with sweet homemade gifts, thrilled us with tales of sky-diving, and inspired us with her boundless compassion for all creatures. She had an invigorating sense of humor and spontaneity. We will miss her deeply. Stephanie's legacy will live on through her husband of 21 years, Billy Bristow, as well as her children, Sarah and Matthew of Austin, Texas. Stephanie also leaves behind grandmother Mary Alleta Riddlespurger of Mt Pleasant, Texas; mother Mary Catherine Burton and husband Joe Bob of Pittsburg, Texas; father Stephen Campbell and wife Lisa of Bushland, Texas; stepfather Wayne Bryant of Amarillo, Texas; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. In the wake of this tragedy, it has been uplifting to see family reconnect and recognize the importance of strong family bonds. It would be our hope that Stephanie finds comfort in seeing her family and friends come together and renewing commitments to support one another. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 4th at 2pm CDT at Cox Funeral Home located at 4180 Canyon Drive, Amarillo, Texas 79109. All family and friends are welcome. In lieu of flowers, donations are being graciously accepted through a memorial fund to help Billy, Sarah and Matthew defray expenses associated with their loss. https://www.youcaring.com/memorial-fundraiser/stephanie-bristow-memorial-fund/327800 Support is always encouraged to organizations that were important to Stephanie: NAMI Austin (namiaustin.org) and the Austin Humane Society (austinhumanesociety.org). "A handful of beautiful butterflies Crushed in a wanting grasp A handful fluttering in the air Free to show their beauty and grace Which is more beautiful? Grasping to hold? ...or to behold?" Andrew Hawkes

Service Schedule

Celebration of Life Cox Funeral Home 4180 Canyon Drive Amarillo, TX 79109 Saturday, April 04, 2015 2:00 P.M.