Stephanie Grahn Krantz

Stephanie Grahn Krantz, of North Augusta, South Carolina, passed away peacefully on June 13, 2025, at Piedmont Hospital in Augusta, Georgia, surrounded by her loving family. Stephanie was born July 10, 1956, in Tampa, Florida, daughter of Walter Grahn and Ann B. Stein. She was preceded in death by her two parents and her brother, Walter Grahn III.

She is survived by her daughter, Alison Crow (Trevor), and granddaughter, Genevieve; sons, Arthur Krantz III and Christian Krantz; her sister, Gretchen Hitchcock (Norman); and her nieces, Katie Webster (Keith) and Frances Livingston (Caleb) — all of whom she cherished deeply. She is also survived by Anna Huensch, a daughter from another mother, whose close bond with Stephanie was a testament to the deep, chosen family ties she nurtured throughout her life. Stephanie is also survived by her pets, Olive and Tiger Lily, and cared for them with the same tenderness and devotion she showed everyone she loved.

Stephanie wholeheartedly loved her family and cherished time spent with them. She was a devoted and loving mother whose warmth and creativity touched everyone she knew. She was a proud 50-year member of Chi Omega Sorority and the Junior League — organizations that reflected her enduring commitment to service and sisterhood. She also believed in life's little joys and rarely passed up a bowl of coffee ice cream with a splash of Kahlúa — a treat as distinctive and comforting as she was.

She was an enthusiastic genealogist with a deep passion for tracing her family’s roots. A proud member of the Jamestowne Society, she spent many years researching and preserving her heritage. Through her work, she traced her ancestry to Nicholas Martiau (1591–1657), a French-born military engineer who arrived in Jamestown in 1620. Tasked with fortifying the settlement of Yorktown, Martiau became known as the “Father of Yorktown.” He is recognized as the first American ancestor of the Washington family and the third great-grandfather of George Washington.

Stephanie was an avid scrapbooker and crafter; she was known for the thoughtful cards she sent to friends and family — small acts of love that made others feel seen, remembered, and cared for. She was also a spirited board game player, a loyal Florida Gators fan, a devoted moviegoer, and an avid reader who especially loved books about crime.

Though her life was punctuated by what would be catastrophic illnesses to some, Stephanie rose from each with her characteristic humble nature and quiet strength. She faced a long and difficult battle with cancer with remarkable grace and resilience — a true reflection of her spirit. She deeply valued her independence and approached life on her own terms, with quiet determination and dignity.

She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew her. A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, June 28, at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Milledgeville, Georgia. A reception will follow in Flannery O’Connor Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made to the American Cancer Society or that you consider giving the gift of life by donating blood.