Mildred "Stephanie" Esposito

Mildred “Stephanie” Esposito, age 95, passed away peacefully on May 9, 2025, in Herndon, VA. A longtime resident of Tarpon Springs, FL for 24 years, she spent her final year near her daughter and family.

Stephanie was born on July 22, 1929, in Atwood, KS to Adolf and Mary Horinek. She dedicated her life to helping and serving others through her religious commitment and teaching career. She spent 12 years with the Sisters of Notre Dame Academy in Omaha, NE. Afterward, she earned her Master’s degree in Family and Child Counseling and Guidance from the University of Omaha, where she met her life partner, Andrew “Andy” John Esposito. They were married on August 4, 1968, and shared 35 years of loving marriage before Andy’s passing on October 13, 2004.

Together they made their home in Tolland, CT, where Stephanie taught at Tolland High School for 24 years. She volunteered for many town functions and especially cherished her 17 years teaching religious education at St. Matthew’s Church. In 2000, they retired to Tarpon Springs, FL, where they shared four wonderful years of retirement. Stephanie continued to live in their Florida home for two more decades after Andy’s passing.

Stephanie was a remarkable, intelligent woman whose many talents and unwavering kindness left a lasting impression. She set a beautiful example of how to live a joyful, meaningful life through service, faith, and compassion.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Andy, her parents Adolph F. Horinek and Mary Marie (Dozbaba) Horinek, and her sisters Helen (Horinek) Wenzl and Lucille (Horinek) Stevens.

She is survived by her siblings: A.J. Horinek (Marjorie), Virginia (Horinek) Burk (John, deceased), Ernest Horinek (Joan), and brother-in-law Delbert Wenzl. Stephanie also leaves behind her children: Andy Esposito Jr. and Kim of Beaumont, TX, and their sons, Hunter, Levi, and Zach; and Ann Marie (Esposito) Nimmer and Chris of Ashburn, VA, and their children, Kaitlyn and Camden.

Vigil at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, May 15, 2025, at Baalmann Mortuary, Atwood. The Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, May 16, 2025, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Atwood, with burial in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Atwood.