Stella Smiga

STELLA SMIGA (nee Buczkowski) age 95, beloved wife of the late Michael; loving mother of Rev George, (Pastor of St. Noel Church), Marge LoPresti (husband Robert McGeeney), Joseph (wife Beverly), Sue Jones (husband Matthew) and former mother-in-law of Charles LoPresti, MD; devoted grandmother of Charlie, MD (wife Erika), Andrew and Anthony LoPresti and great-grandmother of Sofia, Ella and Charlie; dearest sister of Paulina Machunik of Poland and the late Walter Buczkowski and Valerica Buczkowska.

Stella was born on February 24, 1922 in Poland and passed away on December 30, 2017. She was a resident of Willoughby Hills for the past 5 years, formerly of South Euclid and Cleveland. Stella was a parishioner of St Paul Catholic Church of Euclid for many years and most recently St Noel. She volunteered her time at St Paul’s Fish Fry and was a member of the Holy Name Society at St Paul’s. Stella was a member of the Polish Club. In 1940, Stella was taken to a Russian work camp in Siberia and was there for 3 years. She then joined the Polish Army and was sent to the Persian Gulf where she met her future husband Mike. After WWII, Stella moved with Mike back to the US as a war bride. She was a homemaker and was also employed by General Electric for over 10 years.

Stella was also an excellent and talented seamstress and served many family and friends by being their personal seamstress.

Stella loved polka music and enjoyed sewing, crocheting, baking and making noodles. Stella also loved to travel especially in the US, Europe and China.

Stella’s family and friends will most remember her as a hardworking woman who was very faithful to both her church and family. She had a great sense of humor and enjoyed being social. She was also strong, determined and strong willed. She will be greatly missed by all.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in memory of Stella to Hospice of Western Reserve 17876 St Clair Ave Cleveland, OH 44110 or St Noel Endowment Fund 35200 Chardon Rd Willoughby Hills, OH 44094.

Relatives and friends are requested to meet for the Mass of Christian Burial Thursday January 4, 2018 at St. Noel Catholic Church at 10 AM. Burial following at All Souls Cemetery. Family will receive friends to pay tribute to and celebrate the life of Stella at THE DeJOHN-FLYNN-MYLOTT FUNERAL HOME OF WILLOUGHBY HILLS, 28890 CHARDON ROAD (between Bishop Rd. and Rt. 91) WEDNESDAY 2-4 & 5-8 PM.