Fan Stories from Supernatural NJ Con: Remembering Stephanie Elizabeth
Supernatural fan conventions inspire in so many ways that we can’t possibly imagine. Fans go to these conventions often times with a story of triumph or inspiration, often sharing how Supernatural has truly affected their lives.
A bittersweet story has come out of the Salute to Supernatural in New Jersey this weekend, one that is personal to me. I usually go to New Jersey con every year (I was at the first one!). Since NJ con was moved to early September this year, it conflicted with my plans to go to Vancouver con a few weeks earlier (too many cons, so little time). I had to pass. That greatly saddened me because I’ve gotten to know many great fans at New Jersey con through the years and this is usually the only time I get to see them. One of those fans is Eric Murray. We often keep in touch online, sharing our love for all things Supernatural.
Last year I met Eric’s niece Stephanie, who joined him at the con. She too was a huge Supernatural fan, and she and Eric had plenty of photo ops planned to commemorate the weekend. I remember them both having a real blast at the con (we all did), getting to know all the celebrity guests and plenty of other fans. Stephanie especially was always smiling. She and Eric had made plans to come back again this year, and Stephanie had purchased numerous photo ops to prove it!
When I caught up with Eric online before the con, he gave me some devastating news. On Memorial Day, Stephanie passed away suddenly. Her death stunned everyone, and her friends and family are positively heartbroken. She was only 22 and had so much life ahead of her. When it came time to go to the con, Eric was determined that Stephanie be in those photo ops she looked forward to all year. He found a solution.
What a poignant memory for Eric and his family to cherish. The Supernatural actors have always amazed me with their class and love for the fans, and their expressions and respect in these photos prove just how much. This SPN family is truly a family that love and care for each other in ways that cannot be mentioned. These pictures speak a thousand words.
Stephanie had also made a music video which she was going to submit for the NJ Con video contest. She had become quite a skilled vidder. Eric sent it in on her behalf, and it won a prize! It was proudly shown in the auditorium at the con.
{mp4}StephanieSPNfanvid{/mp4}
(or if you need to see it smaller)
https://www.thewinchesterfamilybusiness.com/images/video/StephanieSPNfanvid.mp4
Here’s a tribute made to Stephanie as well on YouTube, Supernatural Remembers Stephanie Elizabeth. It has many of the con photos taken at last year’s NJ Con when she could always be seen with a smile on her face.
http://youtu.be/7HIgiM-MlZc
Stephanie, it was an honor to have you in this fandom. Your love of Supernatural is a testament to the spirit that makes this SPN family truly extraordinary. Thank you for teaching us about the better side of fandom and how life is truly precious. You will be missed.
That was so sad Alice. What a shame. Stephanie was a beautiful young lady. The actors holding her picture in the photos ops was so poignant. What a wonderful idea and what a great uncle Eric is. So sweet.
God’s speed, Stephanie. May you find your way Home to light, peace and joy.
What a nice tribute by a loving uncle.
Very touching tribute. I’d love to see the video, but I can’t open it. Is that just me?
The video was working last night, but that was on my PC. It’s only on Facebook and there’s no embed options, and Facebook can be really flaky when it comes to sharing things. I’ll see later if I can’t get it up on our YouTube Channel.
The video link is fixed! It was private on Facebook (unless you’re one of Eric’s FB friends). I got a copy.
Very nice tribute. Hopefully the winning video will be up?
Interested to see it too. The FB one didn’t work. 🙂
– Lilah
That’s so sad, I have tears in my eyes as I look at the pictures. A beautiful memorial for a beautiful young lady gone way too soon. My heart goes out to her family. 🙁
I’m heartbroken for Stephanie’s family. What a lovely tribute and how wonderful that this cast honored her memory for her and her uncle. So very sad and heartwarming at the same time. Thanks for posting this Alice.
That was a very nice video. Bad girls of Supernatural! 🙂 My all-time favorite, Meg 1. Good job Stephanie.
Loved your video…very nicely done Stephanie.
What a lovely tribute. Thank you Alice for sharing this. My heart aches for the family. Having a daughter ages with Stephanie, the loss is just too much to imagine what they are going through.
Why do I love this fandom, and given a choice, why would I spend a day with them even over Doctor Who? (Borderline obsessive about that show…well, through 11. This season 8 has yet to be determined). Anyway, it’s a MAJOR thing for me to say. It’s things like this. So many celebs would not do all this for a fan who has passed on. But these guys would probably insist on it. This show cares so much about it’s fandom, they just exude love for each other and their fans. They are a one of a kind group. I wish I had money to do cons so I could have met Stephanie.
(And how jealous am I she got to meet Matt S and Karen G AND sit in the Mokeemobile? If she’d met Tennant, I’d curl up in a ball babbling “Allons-y!”) What a beautiful, talented special girl. Sadly she left this world, but she made her marK, and not everyone can say that. Her Spirit is connected to the spirit of the show now. There will always be a little bit of her in it. She had many blessings, and she shared them. An amazing girl.
I loved also the winning video. It was a refreshing change to the ones that are only from the boys.
Well put up and loved the music. It was great that it also won. 🙂
– Lilah
just beautiful….
I think we might have met them when we were with you last year, Alice. Such a heartbreaking loss, and such a heartwarming example of the love that the SPN Family has for each other, both fans and cast.
Lovely tribute blog. And that video was awesome. Thanks for sharing.