Obituary

OLGA (Kay) STELLA (Nee Kowbasniuk) 100 years, a 66 year resident of Dumont passed away July 15, 2024.

Beloved wife of John P. Stella, devoted mother of John P. Stella Jr, MD and his wife Leslie of New Port Richey, FL and Richard Stella of Port Charlotte, FL.  Cherished grandmother of Helen Stella-Krunie and her husband Veljko of CO., Rose Stella of CO., Philip Stella and wife Molly of NM, Michael Stella DDS, MS and his wife Julie of NC. and great grandchildren, Landon, Vega and Dylan.

Kay is predeceased by her husband, John and her sister Jean Charchalis. She was born in New York City to Marcela Kowbasniuk (nee Poborka) and Nicolas Kowbasniuk. Kay and John lived in the East Village in Manhattan and started a family there before moving to Dumont in 1956.

Kay was the agency Treasurer and Secretary of a family business, Kowbasniuk Travel Inc. (KTI), known to be the oldest and largest Ukranian travel agency in the free world, specializing in guided tours to most Eastern European countries for over 80 years, beginning with steamship ticketing and Insurance in 1920 before commercial air travel began.

After her mother moved from NYC into her home in Dumont, Kay worked for the Englewood school system for 8 years in an administrative role before totally retiring. Before and after retiring, she enjoyed events at St. Mary’s RC Church, Dumont and the St. John’s Council K of C #1345 as well as international travel with her husband and many close friends.

Visiting Sunday, July 21, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Frech-McKnight Funeral Home, 161 Washington Avenue, Dumont.  Prayer Service at the funeral home Monday, July 22, 2024 at 9:30 AM.  Entombment to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover, NJ.  Donations in Kay’s memory can be made to St. John’s Council K of C #1345 Scholarship Fund, 61 Armour Place, Dumont, NJ 07628 (Mailing Address: P.O. Box 211, Dumont, NJ 07628).

Condolences

Share your favorite memories, offer words of sympathy, light a candle, or leave a memento.