Stephanie Ryan: Alice Springs grieves woman’s death alongside goddaughter in Qld house fire

‘If you didn’t know her, then you wanted to know her’: The 31-year-old woman who died alongside her goddaughter in a Brisbane bayside house fire touched the lives of all who knew her, a family friend says.

Stephanie 'Stephy' Ryan, who died in a house fire in Brisbane's bayside last week. Picture: Contributed

An Alice Springs family, prevalent in the city’s motoring scene, and its tight-knit group of friends and confidantes, remain inconsolable after the death of a woman and her goddaughter in a fire on Brisbane’s bayside.

Stephanie ‘Stephy’ Ryan, 31, and her goddaughter Raven Contini, 8, perished in the Bayside Ct, Thorneside, townhouse fire last Sunday.

Stephy had only recently arrived in Brisbane for a holiday and was babysitting young Raven at the time.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.

Eight-year-old Raven Contini, Stephy Ryan’s goddaughter. Picture Supplied

The Ryans – dad Mick, mum Marlene, and adult children Stephy, Cassandra and Matt, moved to Alice Springs several years ago after Mick got a gig managing the local Repco, family friend Lavinia Gaff told this masthead.

Mick Ryan with daughter Stephy. Picture: Contributed

Originally it was just Mick who moved, but after he brought Stephy to Alice Springs for a Christmas party, she fell in love with the township and its people, relocating to work under her dad at Repco.

“We all used to call [Stephy] her dad’s ‘mini me’,” Mrs Gaff said.

“She had these infectious dimples and laugh.

“Everyone loved her – if you didn’t know her, then you wanted to know her.

“She had a heart of gold and wanted to do everything for everyone.”

Mick – who met Mrs Gaff’s husband Ben at an automotive trade show before the families became intertwined – was beyond grief.

Stephy Ryan with best friend Lavinia Gaff's daughter, Scarlett. Picture: Contributed

“He’s going to need all the support he can get,” she said.

Through tears, Ms Gaff also shared details of her special relationship with Stephy.

“She was my sidekick, trusted companion, cherished family member, and aunty to my children,” Mrs Gaff said.

“They [my kids] were actually asking about her on Sunday and I’m at a loss in what to say to them.”

Outside of her family and professional life, Stephy embedded herself in the township’s motoring scene – she was a regular volunteer at Arunga Park Speedway – and she helped with deliveries for Mrs Gaff’s business, Red Centre Gift Baskets.

Bride Lavinia Gaff with daughter Scarlett, who is beaming at Stephy Ryan. Picture: Supplied

With the immediate shock of Stephy’s tragic passing slowly receding, thoughts are now turning to assisting the Ryans financially to return their daughter home to Alice Springs.

Stephy’s aunt, Karen Linsley, who lives in the Redlands, just a suburb or two over from where her niece died, has set up an online fundraiser seeking to assist with repatriation costs.

“Stephy will always be remembered as a smiley, happy young woman [who was] always there for anyone that needed her without question,” Ms Linsley said.

“We are all devastated with the news of what happened [last Sunday].

Fire scene at Bayside Ct, Thorneside, Monday October 7, 2024. Picture: John Gass

“Our love and thoughts also go out to Raven’s family at this difficult time.

“We love you ‘Stephy Weffy’ – forever in our hearts.

“We would like to give Steph the send off she deserves.”

It’s understood a service will also occur in Brisbane, where Stephy’s network of friends and family was extensive.

Originally published as Stephanie Ryan: Alice Springs grieves woman’s death alongside goddaughter in Qld house fire