Obituary of Staci Erjavec

On November 13, 2023, Staci O’Toole Erjavec passed away peacefully, surrounded by family at her home and beloved ranch, Tesoro Mio. Staci was the first of three girls born to Helen and Michael O’Toole on September 14, 1960, in Cleveland, Ohio. She is survived by her loving husband, Tim; two daughters, Stephanie and Natalie; two sisters, Erin Aiken (Cliff) and Shannon Klee (Ken); and brother-in-law, Anthony Erjavec.

Staci was an adored mother, wife, sister, and friend. She is fiercely loved by all those that knew her, and her loss leaves an unimaginable hole in the world that survives her. She was the kind of woman who was unforgettable from the moment you met her. She not only illuminated the rooms she walked into; she commanded them. Staci’s infectious smile preceded the warmth, kindness, generosity, and liveliness that her spirit embodied. Her life brought love, laughter, and genuine happiness to all those that loved her. She had a unique aptitude for leadership, hard work, and perseverance which made her successful in every endeavor that she embarked on. At the center of her identity was a steadfast moral code which manifested as a strong, fearless, and tenacious woman who lived life on her own terms.

Staci grew up in Mentor, Ohio and graduated with a Teaching degree (with a focus on Biological Sciences) from The Ohio State University. After graduation, she began her successful 35-year long career in the health insurance business. Her hard work, determination and charisma made her a natural top-producing saleswoman, and she quickly ascended the corporate ranks to hold multiple Executive positions. While insurance was her career; animals, nature, food & wine were her life’s passions. In pursuit of these passions, Staci retired from the insurance business and became a Truffle Farmer. Like all things in her life, she dove into Truffle Farming headfirst. Staci began rehabilitating a truffle farm and dedicated her time to training her Lagotta Romagnolo, Mila the Truffle Huntress, to hunt elusive truffles across California and the Pacific Northwest. She committed to the study of truffle cultivation and quickly became a leading expert in the fields of Truffle Farming and Truffle Dog Training. As the Research Task Force Leader of the North American Truffle Growers Association (NATGA), Staci utilized her talents to develop research procedures and win grants aimed at helping Truffle Farmers across North America increase their truffle production. Staci was happiest sharing her love of dogs, nature, food, & wine with everyone around her.

Anyone that knew Staci would tell you that the world is a duller and heavier place without her in it. Staci’s legacy and memory will live on in the lives of all those that love her. Her family invites anyone that had the pleasure of knowing her to join them in a Celebration of Life service, held at St. Simon Church in Los Altos, CA on December 16, 2023, at 11AM. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, any donations be made to the UCSF Brain Tumor Center, American Brain Tumor Association, Snowline Hospice, or ASPCA