Meet the Crew

Joe Stoops has dedicated his life to the sea, building an impressive maritime career that spans over five decades. Since 1968, he has navigated the coastal waters of California and beyond, gaining extensive offshore experience that laid the foundation for his role as Captain of Sea Spirit Memorial.

In 1993,  Joe earned his captain’s license, a milestone that marked the beginning of his leadership at sea. From the remote waters of Alaska’s Inside Passage to the vibrant waters of the Florida Keys and beyond, he has honed his skills in vessel handling, safety, and environmental stewardship. His passion for the ocean has always been intertwined with a deep respect for its ecosystems, exemplified by his commitment to catch-and-release fishery practices and research efforts in Alaska.

Today, Captain Joe leads Sea Spirit Memorial’s voyages, offering compassionate and professional burial-at-sea services aboard the Sea Spirit. With his wealth of experience, he ensures every family has a safe, meaningful, and serene experience honoring their loved ones.

In his spare time, Captain Joe enjoys surfing, fishing, and traveling to warm, tropical destinations with his wife, Raina and their three children, sharing adventures and their mutual love for the ocean.

Wendy Ramm is a lifelong resident of Santa Cruz County, where she cultivated a deep connection to the community she has always called home. With a diverse background, Wendy began her career in construction before transitioning into law enforcement, where she served with distinction for several decades.

In 2021, Wendy retired from the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office after a remarkable career, including her final five years as a detective for the Coroner’s Unit. Her compassion, professionalism, and ability to provide comfort during challenging times were hallmarks of her work.

Now, Wendy brings her love of the outdoors, dedication to service, and caring nature to Sea Spirit Memorial, ensuring that each family receives the respect and support they need as they honor their loved ones at sea.

 In her free time, Wendy enjoys sewing, making jewelry, playing golf, wine tasting and traveling to new destinations. Her creativity and adventurous spirit continue to shine in all aspects of her life.

A local college student pursuing a career in nursing, Bella brings her compassionate nature and dedication to her role at Sea Spirit Memorial. Her love for the ocean began in childhood, when her father would take her out on their boat during weekends. As she grew older, he would sometimes pull her out of school for fishing trips, deepening her connection to the water and fostering her lifelong appreciation for the sea.

Bella was always drawn to work in a field connected to the ocean, and when the opportunity arose at Sea Spirit Memorial, she quickly realized her role was more meaningful than she had imagined. She finds great fulfillment in helping families find closure and peace through the beauty of ocean memorials.

Bella has two dogs, Fish and Hazel, who are her best friends. When she’s not working or studying, she loves spending time at the beach, going for a run, traveling whenever she gets the opportunity, and enjoying moments with friends and loved ones.

Raina Stoops is the founder of Sea Spirit Memorial, a business dedicated to ocean burials and ash scatterings at sea. Raina along with her husband, Joe who is the Captain of Sea Spirit Memorial, opened their small fishing venture together in 1997. After navigating challenges in the fishing industry, they transitioned the business to focus on providing families with peaceful and meaningful burial-at-sea services. Today, Sea Spirit Memorial is a successful corporation that continues to grow each year, helping families find closure and serenity through the beauty of the ocean.

Growing up in the Santa Cruz area, Raina’s proximity to the ocean and surrounding mountains fostered a deep appreciation for both the sea and nature. Beyond her work, Raina embraces her passions for sailing, fitness, gardening, and quality time with her family. She loves traveling to water-centric destinations and finds tranquility in outdoor pursuits, whether hiking through nature or relaxing with a good book on the beach. Despite her professional accomplishments, Raina remains reflective, striving to achieve balance and personal growth in all aspects of her life.

Chloe Stoops grew up in the Santa Cruz mountains, where she developed a deep connection to the ocean that continues to shape her life and work. She loves surfing, fishing, sailing with her mom, and spending time on the water. Currently attending college in New York, Chloe jumps on the boat at every opportunity when she’s home—working aboard Sea Spirit Memorial during summers and school breaks whenever she can.

Chloe is dedicated, hardworking, and calm under pressure, making her a valued member of the Sea Spirit Memorial crew. She takes great pride in supporting families during ocean memorials, helping ensure each service is handled with care, respect, and compassion. Her strong work ethic, attention to detail, and genuine empathy allow families to feel supported during an emotional and meaningful time.

Outside of crew work, Chloe enjoys solo traveling, reading, painting, and acting, all of which reflect her thoughtful and creative nature. Her deep love for the ocean and her commitment to serving families with grace and professionalism make her an invaluable member of the Sea Spirit Memorial team.

Darcy has always felt a deep connection to the ocean. Family vacations often centered around time on the water, snorkeling and scuba diving from boats in Mexico—experiences that helped shape her lifelong love of the sea. For the past 22 years, she has called Santa Cruz home, raising her two children with an active, outdoor lifestyle that frequently includes surfing and time at the beach.

Darcy brings many years of customer service experience across a wide range of fields, working with people of all ages and backgrounds. Having experienced significant personal loss herself, she approaches her role with genuine empathy, attentiveness, and respect. She feels deeply honored to serve as a crew member aboard the Sea Spirit and to support families during some of the most meaningful moments of their lives.

Erika Stevens was born and raised in Santa Cruz County, where she graduated from San Lorenzo Valley High School and attended Cabrillo College. Her early work as a waitress, gymnastics instructor, and volleyball coach helped shape the steady, attentive, and people-focused approach she brings aboard each trip.

She spent more than 35 years in the aerospace industry, developing a strong sense of responsibility, precision, and teamwork — skills that are essential to safe and smooth operations on the water.

Erika is the proud mother of her daughter, Lexi, and grandmother to her grandson, Jace. She enjoys horses, waterskiing, wakeboarding, and staying active, and has always felt a deep connection to the ocean.

With strong local roots and a genuine passion for helping others, Erika is honored to be part of the Sea Spirit Memorial crew, supporting families and assisting in vessel operations during meaningful moments at sea.