June 21, 1954 – Jan. 11, 2024
Stephanie Barber Geter harbored a dream of seeing the return of Humboldt Parkway, and worked for years to make that happen.
As the longtime chairwoman of Restore Our Community Coalition, also known as ROCC, Mrs. Geter and others developed a plan, now under consideration, that would achieve part of that goal with the hope of future phases to finish the job.
The longtime community leader, known for her irrepressible spirit and deep commitment to the East Side, died Thursday from an illness. She was 69.
“Stephanie Barber Geter was a champion for her community,” said Karen Stanley, former executive director of ROCC. “She was not afraid to speak truth to power.”
Jennifer Parker said after she and her husband moved their young family to Hamlin Park in 1989, Mrs. Geter would see her in the driveway walking by the house and stop to talk about the community.
“Her love of the community resonated with everyone,” Parker said. “She was like a welcoming committee all by herself.”
Mayor Byron Brown and Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes were also among those who expressed their sadness at Mrs. Geter’s passing.
“For decades, Stephanie Barber Geter worked to help make the Hamlin Park neighborhood, Buffalo’s East Side and the City of Buffalo better,” the mayor said. “She was a dear friend to many and she will be deeply missed.”
“I’m deeply saddened by the passing of this community pillar,” Peoples-Stokes said. “She was the epitome of a true public servant. She gave selflessly towards the betterment of the community she loved, and was a true leader in whom I was honored to follow.”
Mrs. Geter was born and lived her whole life on Buffalo’s East Side. She lived at an early age in the Ellicott Mall housing projects and later at Willert Park Court.
Mrs. Geter directed the Head Start Partnership at SUNY Buffalo State College, and she was senior vice president of funds distribution and community…
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