KOST, STEPHANIE SUMNER 71, of Sarasota, Florida, formerly of Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, passed away Sept. 13, 2014. Stephanie was preceded in death by husband, Richard Paul Kost. Born January 6, 1943, in Detroit, to Robert William Sumner and Isabelle Campbell Kanter. Stephanie was agraduate of Grosse Pointe High School. She attended Michigan State University in East Lansing where she received adegree in education and was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority. On June 22, 1963, Stephanie married Richard in Grosse Pointe Farms, where they resided for over thirty years before relocating to Sarasota, Florida, in 1999. Stephanie began her career as an early childhood teacher. Later, she became an interior designer and received amaster’s degree in design from Wayne State University. In 1986, she started her own interior design firm. She was amember of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID). She was an active volunteer in the Junior League of Detroit and was aformer member of The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in the State of Michigan. In Sarasota, she was involved with the Junior League of Sarasota, Founders Garden Club of Sarasota, Ringling College Library Association, Pi Beta Phi alumni, and the Selby Gardens Orchid Ball. Stephanie’s many and varied activities were directed toward family and friends who were the center of her life. She was so proud of and found so much joy in her three grandchildren. Her interests also included tennis and needlepoint. She is survived by her son Robert S. Kost (Lori) and their two daughters, Samantha and Zoe, of Rye, New York; son Stephen P. Kost (Beth) and their son Charles, of Chicago, Illinois; and sister Mary McKay Sumner Thorpe (Barry) of Miami, Florida. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Junior League of Detroit, 32 Lake Shore Road, Grosse Pointe Farms, Michgan 48236. AMemorial Service will be held at 3p.m. on Saturday, October 4, at St. Boniface Episcopal Church, 5615 Midnight Pass Road, Sarasota, Florida.
Alison Taylor (Johnson)
I did know Stevie casually as she lived around the block from me. I always like her and we had little brief talks together. I just discovered that she was 5 days older than me. I am sorry to know she has passed, but I am glad to know that she had a good life. God bless.
Penelope L. Distin (VanGinderdeuren)
Stevie was a friend since 2nd grade at Maire School...our lives took different paths, but it was always good to run in to her. She was a wonderful, kind , sweet person.