Patricia C. Stella

Patricia C. Stella (nee Curcio),73, of Norwood, NJ, formerly Westwood, NJ, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, February 17, 2023. She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Michael Stella; son, Christopher Stella; sister, Linda Jones; brothers-in-law, Robert and Thomas Stella, and James Jones; and sisters-in-law Beverly Stella, Joanne Stella, and Wendy Curcio. She was predeceased by her brother John Curcio in 2017.

Patricia was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, to Miranda Curcio (nee Pennoni) and Francis Curcio, and graduated from Scranton Central High School and Marywood College. She went on to teach middle-school Spanish in Rockville, Maryland. After moving with her husband to Detroit, Michigan, Pat continued to employ her gift of teaching through instructing ESL programs with Berlitz, and use her fluency in Spanish to produce translations for Ford Motor Company. Following her family’s move to Westwood, Pat dedicated herself to singing the Our Lady of Good Counsel Choir in Washington Township, supporting local school events and booster associations, working in the public library system in both Westwood and Norwood, and volunteering at the Art School at Old Church in Demarest.

No matter where she resided, Pat made new and lasting friendships, quickly turning friends into family. To those who knew her, she was sought after for her extensive knowledge of gardening; admired for her creative spirit and artistic talents—including stained glass, watercolor painting, knitting, and ceramics; and loved for her radiance, compassion, and generosity. A true lover of nature, she cared for and nurtured all that she touched, be it plant, animal, or person. She will be deeply missed.

The family will receive guests at Becker Funeral Home, 219 Kinderkamack Rd., Westwood, NJ, on Tuesday, February 28, from 2-4pm and 7-9pm. In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to Englewood Hospital (https://support.englewoodhospitalfoundation.org/) in memory of Patricia C. Stella, or to the World Wildlife Fund (https://www.worldwildlife.org/).