Stella Irene Gattis (nee Grochowski), passed away peacefully and unexpectedly with family by her side on November 6, 2019.
Born on August 19, 1960 to Walter and Lillian Grochowski she was the youngest of four children, and the apple of her father's eye.
She was predeceased by her parents Walter, and Lillian Grochowski, her sister Barbara Lord, Brother Jack and Sister in law Bonnie Ann Collins.
She is survived by her Sister Elizabeth (Rick) Oakley, Husband Willam Gattis, daughters Stacy (Brad) Busnardo, Sarah (Bronson) Gattis, Grandchildren Bryce, Olivia, and Hunter, God-mother Barbara Laskey, Sister-in-law Sandra (Scott) Novick, Brother-in-law Louis (Linda) Gattis, and her many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
Stella was born in Cherry Hill, NJ and later raised in Villas, NJ where she met the love of her life and husband of 40 years, William.
Together they settled in Millville, NJ, and later in Vineland, NJ where they raised two daughters whom she adored and devoted her life to. You would often times find her house full of her daughters friends who she also “adopted” and would treat as her own. Stella spent her days working hard, sitting at the dinner table helping her daughters with homework, and cooking a nice hot meal every night.
Stella was a homemaker and owned her own cleaning business for 20 years. She worked hard and loved her clients. Her career offered her the ability to make her own hours, be her own boss, and most importantly be able to be home for her two daughters.
Because Stella had a heart of gold, she always looked after everyone else even if it sometimes meant she had to go without. This was most true when it came to her daughters, she would do anything for them. She always without fail put them first, and made sure they always had everything that they needed. She was the kind of mother you hope to be, and was always her daughters biggest supporter. She was there for every sporting event, every school trip, every recital, and every important event in their life.
Later on in her life she would become a grandmother, which she often said was her greatest joy aside from becoming a mother. She adored her grandchildren, and at the end of her life being with them was what she enjoyed doing most.
If you were blessed to know Stella you knew she loved to sing. And often times you would hear her belting out tunes with her husband who would be playing along on the guitar.
Stella's laugh was larger than life, and you knew she had arrived when you heard her boisterous, and contagious laugh from the other room. She never met a stranger, and would give you the shirt off of her back if you needed it. She always gave the best advice, and a shoulder to cry on. She loved the mountains of Virginia, and made arguably the best peanut butter chocolate fudge at Christmas time.
Stella will be remembered as an amazing wife, mother, and grandmother. She was a bright and vibrant woman who radiated joy, love, and positivity everywhere she went.
She will be deeply missed by her husband, children, grandchildren, sister and many family and friends.
Those who were touched by Stella are invited to share stories, and celebrate her life at Calvary Baptist Church, 2373 Shore Rd. Oceanview, NJ 08230 on Friday November 22, 2019 at 6:30 pm. Light desserts and refreshments to follow in Hunter Hall.
