For Marci Stepak, Toronto Public Library branches were never just about books—they were where she spent time with her mother. Eunice Stepak died of breast cancer on April 7, 2025, one day before what would have been her 88th birthday.

This week, marking one year since her mother's death, Stepak set out on a 10-day, 300-kilometre walk to all 100 TPL branches. She’s calling it Every Library TO and is raising funds for library outreach programs that supported her mother in her final months.

In this episode of The CJN’s "North Star" podcast, host Ellin Bessner speaks with Stepak about grief, memory and finding a way forward.

Related links

• Follow Marci Stepak ’s memorial walk for her late mother to all of Toronto’s 100 public libraries.
• Learn how to donate to her TPL fundraiser.
• Read more about Marcie Stepak’s background in The CJN from 2010, about the show “Being Erica.”

Credits

• Host and writer: Ellin Bessner ( @ebessner )
• Production team: Zachary Kauffman (senior producer), Andrea Varsany (producer), Michael Fraiman (executive producer), Alicia Richler (editorial director)
• Music: Bret Higgins

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