Stephanie Jenkins Secrest, aged 93, died peacefully in her home in Dearborn, Michigan, on September 2, 2016, surrounded by family, including her loving husband of 72 years, Fred Gilbert Secrest.  Born in Boston, Massachusetts, at the age of six Stephanie and her sister Frederica moved with her mother Muriel and her Aunt Marion to San Diego where she became a California girl – but never lost her Boston accent.  Stephanie graduated from Stanford in 1944, and it was there that she met her future husband, Fred, an ROTC cadet from Harvard. They were married in July, 1944 and Fred was immediately sent overseas for two long years while Stephanie worked in the Patent Office and for the Red Cross.  Following the war and Fred's graduation from the Harvard Business School, they drove their Business Coupe to the national heartland – Detroit and Ford, with their four month old son, Stephen riding in the jump seat.  William, Daniel, Marion and Fred (Fritz) soon followed and Stephanie spent several happy, hectic decades raising her family and enjoying a wide circle of friends.

"Loyal, loving, intrepid" were the three words Stephanie's family used to describe her. Stephanie saw the value in every human being and was dedicated to cultural exchange, traits which her children and grandchildren are proud to embrace. While raising her family, she was active in international student exchange programs and welcomed youth from Germany, Spain, Sweden and Honduras into her home. From this work, she developed deep and life-long friendships with several of these exchange students, notably, Hartwig and Enrique.  Stephanie was engaged with her community: she served as president of the PTA for many years, chaired the Dearborn YMCA and was a loyal and long-standing volunteer in programs at Franklin Elementary School in Detroit.  Throughout her 72 year marriage, she served as a quiet, steadying anchor for her accomplished, voluble husband.

Stephanie and Fred travelled widely, visiting family and friends across the globe including memorable trips to New Zealand and the Philippines with her family and enjoying many adventures with Fred and their 'Supper Club' friends.  She was an ardent learner at the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) and, along with Fred, was an active supporter of Detroit's cultural jewels, including the DIA, Detroit Symphony Orchestra and Orchestra Hall. Stephanie loved intellectual pursuits - reading, discussing philosophy, religion and politics – and she loved staying active - she walked and played tennis and golf until well into her ninth decade.

Stephanie is survived by her husband, her five children, Stephen and Darlene Secrest (Blackman), William Secrest and Misty Callies, Daniel and Lily Secrest (Menor), Marion Secrest Gold and Arthur Gold and Fred (Fritz) Secrest.  She was adored by her four grandchildren, Maryli Secrest and Keith Rodgerson, Lawrence and Ashlé Secrest (Jackson) and David and Zachary Gold. She also had four great grandchildren, Sean, Chase and Aubrey Secrest and Jasper Rodgerson.

Special appreciation is sent to the many loving caregivers at Henry Ford Village who took care of Stephanie in her final years.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Michigan Alzheimer's Disease Center, University of Michigan Health System Office of Development, 1000 Oakbrook, Suite 100, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 or to the charity of your choice.

Memorial Service Tuesday, September 6, 2016, 11:00am at Henry Ford Village, 15101 Ford Rd, Dearborn MI

Please visit http://www.memorialsolutions.com/sitemaker/memsol.cgi?page=profile&user_id=1848614 for an electronic copy of this biography and family stories.