Stephanie LaMotta

Stephanie LaMotta, 68, born on July 29, 1957, in New York, NY, United States, passed away January 23, 2026. She resided in Van Nuys, CA at the time of her passing. Arrangements are under the care of Forest Lawn, Glendale, CA.

Stephanie was fully herself – honest, sharp, funny, and truly a force of nature. She spoke her mind, made people laugh, and rarely softened her edges. Alongside this, a heart of pure gold. And then there were the dogs – thousands of them. She rescued, protected, and showed up again and again for those who could not speak for themselves. What remains are the stories, the humor, and all of those “Only you Steph” moments. May the memories you hold of her bring some comfort in the days ahead. The memorial is on March 7 at 1:30 PM at Forest Lawn in Glendale. She requested that no one wears black, but instead white. She did acquiesce and said that if you can’t wear white to wear a light color

Stephanie LaMotta, the Founder of Death Row Dogs Rescue dedicated her life to this calling for over 40 years. Over four decades she noticed the ones others passed by, the ones that were abused, the ones that were left behind, the ones that people disposed of, the ones that were fighting an illness, the ones that were bred to fight with each other, for food, for survival —the trembling shape behind a dumpster, the old muzzle pressed against a shelter gate, the eyes that had learned not to hope too loudly. Where the world saw strays, problems, or statistics, she saw individuals. Each dog had a story, and she believed none of them deserved to end in fear, but in a loving home.

Her days were shaped by small, stubborn acts of love. If you know her, you know her beautiful stubborn side! She learned every bark, every flinch, every tail wag, and what each one meant. Loss came with the work, and it stayed with her. Some dogs arrived almost too late. Some left holes in her life that never fully closed. Still, she kept going. She carried grief gently, alongside joy, because she knew that saving even one life mattered more than the pain of losing another. To the dogs, this rescue has been safety. Her along with her village were the first kind hand after cruelty, the steady voice after chaos. Many of them would never remember the streets or the cages—only the warmth of a home, the sound of laughter, the certainty of being wanted. That was her quiet victory. She gave her life to rescuing dogs, and in return, they gave her a purpose as loyal and enduring as love itself which was probably the reason why she lived everyday paralyzed glued to a bed dictating to her phone if a home was approved or not. She did not have to meet the people; she had the most incredible six sense if it was a good match. Her saying "It's easier to get a child from China than a dog from me" has so much truth.

In the end, her unconditional dedication is not being measured in numbers, but in lives changed. In dogs who learned to trust again. In families made whole by four-legged companions who might never have survived without her. Death Row Dogs will continue. Ethically, Responsibly, Honesty, Fierce-fully, and lovingly with the best interest solely on the dogs. This is a promise we are keeping, a dream we are still caring, a torch that still lit, a long lasting call, a legacy that will continue making an impact. We want to dedicate this space to our Founder, our Rescuer, our Friend. We love you, Stephanie. Thank you for all that you continue doing from wherever you might be traveling.

In lieu of flowers and gifts, please donate to Death Row Dogs Rescue: https://deathrowdogsrescue.com/ The foundation in which Monica is now taking care of.