Stanislawa Grubisa

Stanislawa (Stella) Grubisa (nee Besaraba)

November 13, 1932 – May 16, 2022

Mrs. Stanislawa (Stella) Grubisa passed away peacefully in Kamloops, BC on May 16, 2022 at the age of 89 years. She is survived by her loving son Gerald (Darlene) and grandchildren Garrett and Olivia, all of Kamloops, BC. Stella was predeceased by her husband Gaetano in 2014.

Stella was born on November 13, 1932, in Bonnyville, Alberta of parents Alexander and Anna Besaraba, (who immigrated from Poland) along with sisters Agnes and MaryAnn (deceased), and brother Frank (deceased). She grew up on a farm outside of Bonnyville and had an interest in caring for people, eventually becoming a nurse’s aide. However, later in life Stella wanted a different experience where she set her sights on moving to the big city of Edmonton. It was in Edmonton that she was able to carve out her successful life path. Not long after moving to Edmonton, Stella met the love of her life Gaetano and were married in 1967. Together they forged a long lasting and devoted relationship in Edmonton until Gaetano’s passing in 2014. Life to Stella was all about supporting her family and ensuring that her home was a stable and comfortable place for her family. Stella took great pride in shaping her household by having a colossal green thumb. Gardening and yardwork were a passion as evident by the yard paradises that she created and maintained for the various homes that she lived in throughout her lifetime. Walking also became a passion for Stella later in life and would be a frequent mall walker in Edmonton. In 1982, both Stella and Gaetano made the decision to open their own business, Grubisa Millwright Services Ltd. It was though this business that Stella developed a strong business acumen by supporting Gaetano to develop the Company. She took great pride in the support that she provided to Gaetano to develop the successful business by taking care of the front end while Gaetano took care of the back end. Stella loved to travel with her late husband Gaetano and was fortunate to visit many destinations in Canada by motorhome and by traveling abroad.

In 2013, Stella and Gaetano moved to Kamloops to enjoy retirement and to also be closer to her family. Stella was a devoted and loving mother and grandmother. She took particular joy in watching her grandchildren’s extra-curricular activities and would be regularly seen in the local hockey/lacrosse rinks, dance studios, and volleyball gyms cheering her grandchildren on…a true ‘sports grandma’. Spending birthdays and holiday seasons with her grandchildren also held a special place in her heart. While living in the Sun Rivers neighborhood in Kamloops, one of her favorite hobbies was walking the neighborhood and collecting golf balls while enjoying the warm climate that Kamloops had to offer. In 2018, Stella moved to Kamloops Seniors Village and flourished in the facility by developing numerous friendships and would be regularly seen in the bistro having coffee and chatting with friends. Special thanks to the compassionate staff at Kamloops Seniors Village for the care and attention that they provided to Stella until her time of passing.

Stella will be greatly missed. Rest in Peace Mom. The funeral mass will be celebrated on Monday May 30, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. in St Thomas Moore Catholic Church, 210 Haddow close NW, Edmonton, AB. Internment will take place at the Holy Cross Cemetery.