With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Ms. Rochelle Stella on Thursday, January 20th, 2022. Rochelle Stella, or Aunt "Rocky" as she was known to her loved ones and their friends, dedicated her life to service and education.
Rochelle was proud to be Italian American and spent her professional career helping children adjust to life in New York after their own immigration journey. She was an active member of the Gravesend community; she wanted to see this neighborhood be as clean, safe, and welcoming as possible, and she worked tirelessly to that end. Rochelle often enlisted others in this pursuit and was regarded as a local community organizer and historian; she was quick to educate anyone on Gravesend's Lady Deborah Moody. She was passionate about historical and environmental preservation, caring for Veterans, and anything involving the safety and advocacy of women children.
Rochelle was a devout Catholic who visited the church to pray daily. She wanted to see the church's traditions continue and the community grow, and she loved seeing children back in the pews.
She prayed loyally to the Sacred Heart.
Aunt Rocky was a private woman who would do anything and everything for her family. She fiercely and tirelessly defended and loved her brothers and sisters; she is survived by her siblings Marie Stella, Frederick and RoseAnne Stella, and JoAnn Baldwin and Dan Baldwin.
While she did not have children of her own, she served a maternal role to her family and students who loved her back unconditionally. Nothing compared to the love she had for her nieces: Jennifer Resciniti, Lisa Stella, Gina Baldwin, and Lauren Burton, her nephews: Joseph Stella, Joseph Resciniti, Joseph Baldwin, and Nick Baldwin, and the absolute loves of her life, her great-nephews Angelo Resciniti and Nicholas Resciniti.
Aunt Rocky had a tremendous impact on the people in her life; she is already deeply missed by her friends and family.
Rochelle was a praying woman, and she believed in God and all of his Grace. She knew and spoke of heaven often, and that's where she is now. We hope she's getting the rest she deserves, and we hope she knows she's filled our wells with enough love to last the rest of our lives, too.
May we live every day thinking first of each other in her memory.
Our Aunt Rocky requested folks wear brighter colors to her funeral instead of the traditional all-black; she was proud of the life she led and so are we. Despite our sadness, we do view this as a celebration of a beautiful life.
A visitation for Rocky will be held Friday, January 28, 2022 from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Cusimano & Russo Funeral Home, 2005 West 6th St, Brooklyn, NY 11223. A funeral mass will occur Saturday, January 29, 2022 from 10:45 AM to 11:30 AM at St. Simon & Jude Roman Catholic Church, 185 Van Sicklen Street, Brooklyn, NY 11223.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Rocky's memory may be made to Hour Children, https://hourchildren.org/; St. Simon & Jude Roman Catholic Church, 185 Van Sicklen Street, Brooklyn, New York 11223 US, Habitat for Humanity, Arbor Day Foundation, Maimonides Breast Center, Disabled American Veterans and Safe Horizion.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cusimanoandrussofuneralhome.com for the Stella family.
DONS
St. Simon & Jude Roman Catholic Church185 Van Sicklen Street, Brooklyn, New York 11223
Partager l'avis de décès
v.1.9.5