Steffany Messcenger

STEFFANY MESSCENGER May 13, 1953 November 24, 2014 Born in Halifax County, Nova Scotia, Steffany Messcenger (born Pobihushchy) was a gifted storyteller, writer, contractor and artist. She trained as a Journeyman Painter and owned a successful painting company in Red Deer, Alberta. In 1986, Steffany owned and operated Hearts Restaurant in Vancouver and later initiated several creative businesses from an art furniture store to extensive home renovation services. She and her partner, Deborah Pike, owned and renovated several homes together. In 2005, they moved from Vancouver up to the Sunshine Coast, where Steffany worked as Quality Control Supervisor for Garret Hunt Construction. In 2009, they moved to Victoria, where Steffany continued her painting work, on both canvasses and houses. Steffany was a true adventurer, travelling with Deborah to Europe, India and Nepal, Peru and Bolivia, Mexico, Cuba, Hawaii and Costa Rica. Many of these tours were led by Tanis Helliwell, a modern-day mystic and author. Steffany instinctively understood new cultures and was at ease wherever she roamed. Fascinated by human nature, she also explored her own inner landscape, attending workshops and week-long intensives given by cultural anthropologist Angeles Arrien, on topics such as relationship, conflict resolution and collective wisdom. Steffany created paintings and sculpture that reflected her love of nature and sense of beauty. She authored Right Out Straight (yet unpublished) and wrote and performed a one-woman play, Enough Already at the Vancouver International Fringe Festival. She has been a Reiki Master since 1997 and her painting, Heron, graced the cover of the international Reiki magazine last year. As Steffany completed her second book, An Angel in My Volkswagen, she received her cancer diagnosis that too quickly took her from her loving family and friends. She is survived by her spouse Deborah Pike; her sister Wendy Bonang (Joe) and brother Stephen Pobihushchy; her niece, Jilane Bonang (David Soluski) and their children, Joe, Logan and Karina; niece Lori Bonang (Eric Hartson) and Steffanys son, Greg Slaunwhite. A Celebration of Steffanys life will be held in early 2015 in Victoria, British Columbia. The Family is very grateful to Steffanys medical team including Dr. Gary Leong, Dr. David Saltman and Dr. Deb Braithwaite of the Victoria Hospice. We are also thankful that Home Care Nurse, Edris Seale, assisted Steffany during her final days. Donations may be made to the Victoria Hospice by clicking above on memorial gifts.