Eastchester Mourns Stevie DeLuca, 20, as GoFundMe Surpasses $40,000 in Days

 Eastchester, New York, is grieving the sudden loss of Stevie Marie DeLuca, 20, who died unexpectedly on April 30, just days shy of her 21st birthday. According to Westchester Funeral Home, Stevie was born May 3, 2005, and grew into a young woman remembered by family and friends as remarkable, kind, and full of light. Her passing has left a deep void in a close-knit community now searching for comfort.

News of her death spread quickly through Eastchester and beyond, prompting an outpouring of support. A GoFundMe campaign titled "Support for Stevie DeLuca's Family" was created to help cover funeral expenses and related arrangements. As of Friday morning, the fundraiser had raised $41,142 of its $50,000 goal, with 618 donations from friends, neighbors, classmates, coworkers, and strangers moved by the family's loss.

Organizers describe the effort as a way to ease immediate financial burdens so the family can focus on grieving and honoring Stevie's memory. The campaign page notes that contributions will assist with service costs and other unforeseen expenses that follow a sudden death, a reality many families face without preparation or resources.

Visitation services are scheduled for Tuesday at Westchester Funeral Home, 190 Main Street in Eastchester, from 1 to 4 p.m. and again from 6 to 9 p.m. The gatherings are expected to draw a large turnout, reflecting the breadth of connections Stevie made in her 20 years. Community members have been encouraged to share memories, photos, and messages of support during both sessions.

The obituary posted by the funeral home captures the heartbreak felt by those who knew her. "The sudden loss of Stevie DeLuca has left a deep void in the hearts of those who knew her," it states, describing her as "a remarkable person, full of kindness and light." Those words have been echoed across social media tributes and messages left on memorial pages throughout the week.

Family members have expressed their grief openly in online tributes. Her uncle, Justin Lebano, wrote, "Sweet baby girl we are devastated to lose you in our lives. We love you so so much and are crushed you are gone. This is just not fair!" His message reflects the raw emotion many are experiencing as they struggle to understand a loss that feels both sudden and profoundly unfair to everyone.

Friends describe Stevie as compassionate, vibrant, and deeply connected to the people around her. Classmates recall her warmth, neighbors remember her smile, and relatives speak of a young woman who brought light into everyday moments. That consistent presence is what makes her absence feel so acute and painful for those left behind.

As Eastchester prepares to say goodbye, the community's response underscores a shared commitment to carry Stevie's family through the difficult days ahead. The fundraising total continues to climb, a tangible sign of care from near and far. May Stevie Marie DeLuca rest in peace, and may her loved ones find strength in the memories they shared and in the support surrounding them.