Assembly Resolution No. 2398

BY: M. of A. Peoples-Stokes

MOURNING the death of Stephanie Ann Barber Geter,
distinguished citizen and devoted member of her
community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and this
great Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Stephanie Ann Barber Geter, of Buffalo, New York, died on
Thursday, January 11, 2024, at the age of 69; and

WHEREAS, On June 21, 1954, Stephanie Ann Barber Geter was born to
Carl Kelley and Hazel Lee Barber in Buffalo, New York; and

WHEREAS, On Buffalo's East Side, Stephanie Ann Barber Geter was
raised by her grandmother who encouraged her to get involved in her
housing project's tenant council at the age of 12; as a teenager, she
became involved in political campaigns and participated in the student
council in high school and the Ellicott District Neighborhood Council in
college; and

WHEREAS, Stephanie Ann Barber Geter was a proud product of the
Buffalo Public School system, attending Clinton Junior High School and
Annunciation High School where she graduated in 1972; and

WHEREAS, From the State University of New York at Buffalo, Stephanie
Ann Barber Geter received both her Bachelor of Science and Master of
Urban Planning degrees; she was employed by the Research Foundation at
Buffalo State University; and

WHEREAS, For the next 37 years, Stephanie Ann Barber Geter committed
herself to bettering Western New York through her work in government and
local non-profit organizations; she has served on the Boards of
Directors of FeedMore WNY, Elim Community Corporation, and the Masten
TRIAD Housing Association; she also directed the Head Start Partnership
at SUNY Buffalo State College; and

WHEREAS, As Research Associate, Stephanie Ann Barber Geter was
responsible for managing and implementing applied grant projects in
Continuing Professional Studies, managing several grant projects for
nontraditional students, and serving as Community Liaison for Continuing
Profession Studies; and

WHEREAS, Stephanie Ann Barber Geter distinguished herself in her
profession by her sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the
welfare of her community; she had been involved in volunteer work which
included serving as President of the Hamlin Park Community & Taxpayers
Association for many years; and

WHEREAS, For more than 20 years, as Senior Vice President of
Community Initiative for United Way of Buffalo & Erie County, Stephanie
Ann Barber Geter distributed approximately $25 million to agency

providers and community groups annually; while acting as Board Chair of
Restore Our Community Coalition (ROCC), she was instrumental in
obtaining a $55 million federal grant for the Kensington Expressway
project; and

WHEREAS, Stephanie Ann Barber Geter received the Medgar Evers Award
from the Buffalo branch of the NAACP; she also received commendations
from state and local officials; her steadfast work for the East Side of
Buffalo yielded a better community for her neighbors for whom she
tirelessly labored to effect positive change; and

WHEREAS, To Western New York's expansive community, Stephanie Ann
Barber Geter will be remembered as a champion, true public servant,
community leader, and pillar of the City of Buffalo; she remained active
in her projects even after her retirement in the fall of 2020; and

WHEREAS, Stephanie Ann Barber Geter's faith was the cornerstone of
her life, and she was a faithful member of Elim Christian Fellowship,
serving as Chairwoman of the Board for Elim Community Corporation; her
faith was not only a belief but also a way of life which she exemplified
and shared with others; and

WHEREAS, The life, love, resilience, service, and dedication of this
caring, compassionate, and purposeful woman constitute Stephanie Ann
Barber Geter's legacy which will continue to inspire those individuals
who knew her; she has completed her assignment, and her memory will
forever be etched in the hearts of her family, friends, colleagues, and
fellow members of the Buffalo community; and

WHEREAS, Stephanie Ann Barber Geter is survived by her husband,
Edwin R. Geter; stepdaughter, Ariel L. Geter; brothers, Rickie (Debra)
Barber, Joe Barber, and Cecil Barber; sister, Marshell "Peaches" Joyner;
sister-in-law, Debra (Sullivan) Nelson; nephews, Marlon Joyner, Brian
Dubenion, Rickie Lee Barber, and John (Lakisha) Kelley, Jr.; niece,
Renaya (Gabriel) Rivera; and numerous cousins, other relatives, and
special friends; she was preceded in death by her grandmother, Emassie
Barber; father, Carl Kelley; mother, Hazel Lee Barber Joyner; uncles,
Joe Louis (Patricia) Barber, Calvin (Edna) Barber, and William (Rozella)
Barber; aunt, Sadie Barber; and sisters, Betty Barber and Grace Kelley;
and

WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Stephanie Ann Barber Geter leaves behind a legacy which will
long endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory
to all she served and befriended; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Stephanie Ann Barber Geter, distinguished citizen and
devoted member of her community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Stephanie Ann Barber Geter.