Stephanie Shelley Pivont Callaghan passed away on May 20, 2025, at the age of 84 of pancreatic cancer, with family and friends at her side. She was born Stephanie Jane Shelley in Wayne County, Michigan. Her beloved mother, Tuberia Ellen Pivont Shelley, passed away when Stephanie was only five years old and her beloved grandmother Olga Wery Pivont Tate passed away a year later. She was adopted by her mother's brother's family, Leon Ray, Sr. and Anna Ruth Vanscoy Pivont of Hinton, WV. As a young woman, she connected with the father she had never known, Howard Emmet Shelley, and they also developed a close relationship.

Stephanie graduated from Hinton High School and attended Marshall University where she was the crowned the homecoming queen. Following a stint in banking, Stephanie began a long and successful career in WV state government. Her poise and graciousness, as well as her whip-smart good judgment, made her uniquely qualified to serve as the receptionist and gatekeeper for three governors: Governors Smith, Moore and Rockefeller. Later, she served as the administrative assistant to Judge (later Justice) Margaret L. Workman on the Circuit Court of Kanawha County and afterwards in the same capacity on the WV Supreme Court of Appeals.

Throughout her life, Stephanie exuded warmth and kindness to everyone she met and so many will miss her wonderful sense of humor, her wisdom and understanding when anyone needed just a non-judgmental listening ear or even serious life advice; the ways she helped those close to her find humor in so many of life's absurdities; and the comfort she gave to those suffering grief or loss. Her spirituality and strong faith helped lift the spirits of so many of us, especially in her calm acceptance of death and the deep gratitude she expressed for the life in this realm that was ending.

Stephanie is survived by her children, Mark Callaghan (Joe) of Denver, Colorado, Susan Albright Slussear (Mike), Mike Callaghan of Charleston, West Virginia, and Elizabeth/Casey Bent-Callaghan (Hénaë) of Shoreline, Washington; grandsons, Daniel and David "Wren" of Charleston; her brother, Ray Pivont of Hinton, West Virginia, her sister, Sandra Hardy of Wytheville, VA, many nieces and nephews, and a host of dear friends. Stephanie was pre-deceased by her loving husband, Dave Callaghan, mother, grandmother, father, her brother, Melvin Corbin "Tim" Souder of New Braunfels, Texas (Lana), her sister, Kay Fleshman, and her adoptive mother and father, Leon Ray, Sr. and Anna Ruth Vanscoy Pivont.

The arrangements are being overseen by Pivont Funeral Home in Hinton. Pursuant to her wishes, Stephanie was cremated and there will be no funeral. Her family will have a private celebration of her life at a later time. Please no flowers, but if you are so inclined to give in memory of Stephanie, either do a random act of kindness for someone in need or make a contribution to the Kanawha Charleston Humane Society.