A Folsom native who survived the deadly Volare boating tragedy on San Francisco Bay is now facing the difficult task of rebuilding her life while coping with the loss of her mother, prompting family and friends to launch a fundraiser to help ease the burden.
Stefanie Gollmer, a 2003 graduate of Folsom High School and former student at Carl Sundahl Elementary School and Folsom Middle School, survived the July 14 capsizing of the Volare near Alcatraz Island during what had been planned as a family memorial gathering.
Now a registered nurse at Stanford Health Care in Palo Alto, Gollmer escaped the sinking vessel by climbing through a submerged window before fighting her way to the surface and waiting in the 64-degree waters of San Francisco Bay until she was rescued by a passing Good Samaritan. Her mother, Carol Boisa, was among those aboard the vessel who did not escape.
The accident occurred when the 49-foot cabin cruiser Volare capsized west of Alcatraz Island with 20 people aboard. Sixteen passengers were rescued while others lost their lives in the incident. Recovery efforts have continued in the days since as authorities investigate what caused the vessel to sink.
In a recent Bay Area television news interview covering the tragedy, Gollmer described how what began as a joyful family gathering turned into a desperate fight for survival.
“Everyone was just fun, jovial. There was nothing amiss,” Gollmer said. “Got splashed a few times and then kind of decided, let’s go inside.”
Moments later, she said the situation changed dramatically.
“One really far tilt this way, and we all went, ‘Oh,’ and then we all started going this way,” Gollmer recalled. “Then we just realized my mom just went down. My aunt slid past me in a chair, and then realized, we’re not going back.”
Recalling the last moments she saw her mother, Gollmer said, “I was standing right next to her in the kitchen. That’s the last I saw.”
For many in the Folsom community, Gollmer is a familiar face who grew up attending local schools before pursuing a career in nursing, following in her mother’s footsteps of caring for others.
According to family members, Carol Boisa devoted much of her life to helping others and, in retirement, remained known for her generosity and compassion. Gollmer has continued that legacy through her work as a nurse caring for patients in the Palo Alto area.
One of the final conversations Gollmer shared with her mother has become a memory she now cherishes.
“A story of how proud she was of me being a nurse and living her dream. And I will forever hold that close,” Gollmer said. “Family was everything to her, A lot of her favorite memories were hanging out with family and her brothers and stuff, so for it to end in that manner was, I think, just really poetic.”
As she begins the long emotional recovery from the tragedy, she is also facing the responsibilities of managing her mother’s affairs while grieving the loss of a parent.
To help relieve some of those financial pressures, family members and close friends have launched a GoFundMe campaign. The fundraiser was organized by her sister-in-law, Valerie Katircioglu, stepbrother, John Katircioglu, and longtime friend, Debbie Bone.
Those wishing to contribute can do so through the GoFundMe campaign, “Support Stefanie After the Volare Boating Tragedy,” at:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-stefanie-after-the-volare-boating-tragedy
According to the fundraiser, donations will help cover probate and estate legal expenses, costs associated with caring for Carol Boisa’s home, belongings and pets, related travel expenses, and future memorial and celebration-of-life costs, along with other unforeseen expenses in the weeks and months ahead.
Organizers said the goal is to allow Gollmer to focus on healing rather than the unexpected financial burdens created by the tragedy.
The fundraiser also notes that if any funds remain after those needs have been met, the remaining balance will be donated to one or more nonprofit organizations supporting cat rescue and boating safety education in Carol Boisa’s memory. Those organizations will be selected by Gollmer and her family.
At this time Gollmer is choosing not to participate in additional media interviews, but during her previous interview, Gollmer also expressed heartfelt gratitude to the strangers who came to the aid of survivors in the water.
“If I could somehow meet you and give you a big handshake, hug, whatever you’re comfortable with, I owe you. I owe Jason and Jeff everything,” she told CBS, referring to the Good Samaritans who helped rescue those in the bay.
Tragedy also claimed life of Folsom woman
As Folsom Times previously reported, the July 14 capsizing of the Volare sent shockwaves through the local community after multiple Northern California families were caught in the deadly San Francisco Bay accident.
Among those who lost their lives was 58-year-old Folsom resident Tondra Lynn Madruga, also known as Tondra Miller, whose body was recovered following the accident. Authorities also confirmed the death of Clifford Joseph Boisa, 79, of Sutter County. Gollmer’s mother, Carol Boisa, and her aunt, Jackie Boisa, remain missing as search and recovery efforts continue.
The Volare was carrying 20 family members and friends during what had been planned as a memorial gathering when the vessel capsized west of Alcatraz Island. Sixteen people survived the incident, many rescued by first responders, the U.S. Coast Guard and nearby Good Samaritans who rushed to help those struggling in the cold waters of San Francisco Bay.
The cause of the accident remains under investigation by federal and local authorities.
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