Lopez, Stella Grimaldi, “Sis”, 94 entered into eternal rest on October 29, 2022 at home surrounded by her family. Sis was predeceased by her husband, Joe Lopez; her parents Rose and Tony Grimaldi; her brothers Ray and Juli Grimaldi. She is survived by her children, Joey (Margaret), Alan, Mark (Lisa), Vanessa (Allen); Grandchildren, Shea, Michael (Ciara), David, Ryan (Nikki), Jake, Alexis; Great-granddaughter, Isla Rose.
Sis was born on October 15, 1928, in Tampa, Florida. She graduated from Hillsborough High School in 1947. Then went on to graduate for Florida State University, FSU in 1950 with a Bachelor’s Degree, Major in Chemistry, Minor in Math. She was a member of the Kappa Delta Pi and Phi Delta Kappa. She attended the University of Mississippi, Ole Miss, for six summers earning her Master’s Degree of combined Science, Biology Major and Educational Specialist Degree in Guidance and Counseling.
Her first job was with International Labs in West Palm Beach as a chemist making perfume and makeup from 1951-1952. She then went on to teach Science, Biology and Math at Memorial Junior High 1952-1955; Chamberlin High 1959-1960; Grimaldi & Grimaldi, office manager 1960-1966; Hillsborough High 1966-1977; Hillsborough Community College 1971-1973. She then worked as a Guidance Counselor for the Bilingual Program for Hillsborough County until she retired from the school system in 1986. She moved on to work for the family owned Columbia Bank until it was sold in 2000.
She met her beloved, Joe, on a blind date set up by her cousin Henry Fernandez, they were married on December 5, 1952. Her greatest love of all was her family. She was a devoted wife, daughter, mother, daughter-in-law, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, Aunt and friend to all who knew and loved her. She touched so many lives with her unconditional love and compassion. She was given the name “Saint Sis” by a special loved one. She was so deserving of the name. She was the Matriarch of the Lopez/Grimaldi family (as was her mother Rose) and the glue that held us together. She will be greatly missed.
In her youth she was a Concert Pianist and in college she was a trapeze artist for the FSU Circus. A woman of many talents. She was an avid reader but her favorite thing to do was playing cards (poker) with her lifelong friends, the “Bon Amis”, past and present, every week for over 70 years. These women and their husbands shared many life experiences from parties, vacations, marriages, births to deaths. A special bond like no other. They were blessed to always have each other.
After retirement she loved to travel, taking our family (children and grandchildren) on many annual vacations throughout the Mediterranean, Spain, Hawaii and the Caribbean. Beautiful memories made that will be cherished forever. When she wasn’t traveling, she volunteered at John Hopkins All Childrens Hospital for many years. She was also a member of the Las Damas de Sant’ Yago and served on the Board of Directors for many years.
Special thank you to Maria Negron, her caregiver, for her devotion, love and care she gave Sis and Joe for the past three and a half years. The family is forever grateful. Also, to Accent Care, formerly known as Season’s Hospice & Palliative Care, for their quick response and care.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to John Hopkin All Childrens Hospital website at www.hopkinsallchildren.org
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