Stephanie M. Ota

Stephanie May Ota, 25, daughter of Michael and Vivian Ota was called home to God after a courageous battle with a rare ovarian cancer Saturday night, April 21, 2018 at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

Steph graduated from Central Catholic High School in 2011 and furthered her education studying at UMass Lowell where she earned her Bachelor’s in Business Management. With her kind heart, Steph spent her free time volunteering at the MSPCA and Lazarus House. She was also one of the founding members of the Phi Sigma Sigma Sorority for the Iota Pi Chapter.

Always a beach baby, Steph loved the ocean but most of all she enjoyed being on her surf board out on the water. Her love for the outdoors led her on many adventures like riding ATVs, summertime hikes, and spending time with family on trips and backyard BBQs. She was an avid country concert goer and a kick boxing enthusiast. Most of all, Steph loved being with the love of her lifetime, David Abare.

Steph was fearless, strong, a spitfire, bubbly, loving, kind, caring, and loyal. Her deep-rooted faith in God touched the lives of everyone who had the honor of knowing her. She was everyone’s sparkle.

Steph was predeceased by her maternal grandmother, May Khoury; and her paternal grandparents, Tadashi and Norma Ota.

She is survived by her parents, Michael and Vivian (Khoury) Ota of Lawrence; sisters, Samantha R. Ota of Lawrence and Angela Dwomoh of Methuen; devoted and loving significant other, David Abare of Plaistow, NH; maternal grandfather, Sam Khoury of Methuen; uncles and aunts, Bobbie Firth of North Andover, Brian Ota of Marblehead, Mark and Laurie Ota of Salem, NH, Wayne Kanzaki of San Diego, CA, Robert and Kathleen Ota of Manchester, NH, Barry and Ann of Seattle, WA, Glen Ota of Andover, Joseph Khoury of Chelmsford, Mireille (Aunty Rae) and Michael Farrell of Derry, NH, Steven and Manal Khoury of Methuen. She also leaves behind several cousins and extended family members.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend visiting hours Thursday, April 26, 2018 from 3:00-8:00 PM at Cataudella Funeral Home, 126 Pleasant Valley St., Methuen. Her funeral mass will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, April 27, 2018 at St. Anthony Maronite Church, 145 Amesbury St., Lawrence. Burial will follow at St. Anthony Cemetery in Methuen.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Steph’s memory may be made to Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance, 14 Pennsylvania Plaza #2110, New York, NY 10122 or via www.ocrfa.org.