Kathryn Stacy Bischoff

Kathryn Stacy Bischoff (Reese), 77, passed away on Wednesday March 2nd, 2022 in Novato, California. Stacy was born in Baltimore, Maryland on May 29th, 1944 to Houston and Mary (otherwise known as Tex and Mac) Reese. Stacy had an older brother, Houston Gibbs Reese Jr. She spent her early childhood in Richmond, Virginia and spent every summer on Rehoboth Beach in Delaware. In the late 1950’s, the Reese family moved to Louisville, Kentucky where Stacy graduated from Waggener High School in 1963.

Stacy lovingly and expertly cared for thousands of patients through her long and successful career in Nursing. She initially earned her nursing degree at Norton Memorial Infirmary School of Nursing in Louisville, KY. In 1968, as a surgical nurse on the John Hopkins Hospital cardiac team, Stacy and the rest of the team were featured in the local paper for performing the hospital’s first heart transplant. In 1982, she completed a Woman’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner Program at the University of California, Los Angeles. She was a strong advocate for women, providing comprehensive education and care for women, from adolescence through menopause. One of Stacy’s passions was educating teen-aged girls about their health and making them feel comfortable in an appointment setting. She worked as a gynecologic Nurse Practitioner at Women’s Medical Associates for many years where she provided a broad range of services, from routine gynecological care to acting as co-leader of a support group for birthmothers. She was a champion for women’s health and in 1999, joined Whole Health Associates, which expanded her clinical knowledge to include a more holistic approach to women’s health. At Whole Health Associates, she partnered with holistic practitioners to create a Center for Integrative Medicine. After 16 years at Whole Health Associates, she started her own practice which focused on caring for perimenopausal and menopausal women. Listening to her clients and providing choices in their health care needs was a constant through Stacy’s career.

In 1970, ever the independent woman, Stacy and her best friend drove cross country to the Tiburon View apartments where she met the love of her life, John Alvin Bischoff. They married in 1971 and had a lifelong love and a marriage that left all who knew them touched and inspired. They began their family in Tiburon, first welcoming their son, David Reese Bischoff, in 1982 followed by their daughter, Jillian Reese Bischoff in 1986. They moved to San Rafael in 1987 where their home of 34 years was the center for countless parties and celebrations with their friends and family. Stacy was a dedicated tennis player and enjoyed being on the bocce court with her husband and their friends. Stacy was a woman of faith and a leader at St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church for over 25 years. Stacy and John were founding members of a Dinner Club composed of their closest friends-turned-family, with whom they celebrated over the last 30 years. Stacy was also an integral member of the Marin Cursillo Community, where she worked on several Cursillo teams.

Stacy is survived by her children David Bischoff (Bridget Bischoff), and Jillian Restivo (Brent Restivo), Nira Ray, and her grandchildren Lincoln Restivo and Madeline Bischoff, her brother Gibbs Reese (Lynn Reese), many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws, and friends. She was a loving mother, wife, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend.

Donations in her honor can be made to Marin Cursillo online or by mail to: P.O. Box 4101, San Rafael, CA 94913-4101. Please include In Memory of Stacy Bischoff in your donation.