Obituary

Stephanie Rubiano or lovingly known as “Tefa” passed away battling stomach cancer at a young age. She leaves her legacy behind in her 2 beautiful sons – Kian and Aiden.

Stephanie was born to Yamileth Salazar and Hector Rubiano in Thousand Oaks, California. Though she was born here, she grew up in Costa Rica in San Marcos De Tarazzu. Stephanie has a younger brother, Jason Rubiano who was by her side through the cancer journey.

Tefa completed her school and pursued her Business Administration degree in Universidad De Costa Rica. She made her lifelong friends in Costa Rica.

After completing her college, she moved to California in 2009 to pursue employment opportunities in California and reconnect with her extended family. She was planning on returning to Costa Rica in a few years’ time. Fate and love decided otherwise when she met Jerin in 2012. Stephanie and Jerin got married in 2015. They had 2 beautiful wedding celebrations in Kerala and Costa Rica.

Tefa was an avid team handball player having played for the Costa Rican national team. She loved organizing, watching movies and shows. She loved “Parks and Recreation” and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” as shows that were light hearted and didn’t “require you to think”.

Tefa loved everyone in her life deeply. She loved both her babies above all else . She enjoyed hosting friends and family and having deep conversations with them. Her care for her people shined brightly even in her darkest times.

Tefa was a beautiful person inside and out. She was the heart and soul of her home and her family. She would ensure staying connected with family and friends. Towards the end, she even regretted not having said goodbye to her colleagues and friends at work. Those who know Stephanie well will know that nothing ever came easy in her life but she was a fighter and never gave up. She fought the cancer till the very end, in the hopes of extending her life to continue  being with her family. She always role modelled  simplicity, honesty, courage and unconditional love.

Tefa will be dearly missed by her 2 babies, husband, friends, family, and all who have had the privilege of knowing and loving her. In her honor, a memorial service will be held on October 26th, 2024 at O’Connor Mortuary in Laguna Hills at 10 a.m. An interment will be held at El Toro Memorial Park at 1 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to American Cancer society. They provide significant investments in cancer research, advocacy, and patient support, including information and education on prevention and early detection as well as treatment options.

Rest in peace, Tefa. Your unwavering, bright spirit will continue to shine brightly in our hearts.

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