Our beloved Babchi passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on August 2, 2017, after a period of declining health.
Stella was born in 1919, the 9th child of Bronislawa (Lada) and Alexander Milaszewski. She was predeceased by her parents and ten siblings, Walter, Mary, Alec, Joe, Hector, Adolph, Helen, Sally, Jenny, and Eddy. Her husband of 47 years John "Buddy" Hoey passed away in 1988.
Stella leaves her four children, Gail (Hoey) Webster and her husband, Sidney of Worcester, Carol ( Hoey) O'Connell of Worcester, John Hoey and his wife, Donna of Worcester, and Joanne (Hoey) Barron and her husband,Tom of Westminister, Colorado. Throughout her 97 years, Stella was blessed with nine grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her granddaughter, Melissa (Hoey) Setterlund of Paxton, in 2015.
Stella loved sharing her stories from childhood, growing up on her family's farm in Leicester. She reminisced of her time there and on her family’s "block", in the Green Island neighborhood of Worcester, where she lived for the remainder of her life. Everyone who met Stella was in awe of her infectious laugh, sense of humor, and radiant spirit. She enjoyed reading, baking, and sewing, along with creating a nurturing home for her family. Throughout her life, you could expect a phone call every Sunday, telling you to come down for her delicious stuffed cabbage or famed potato pancakes. Babchi's house remained warm and welcoming to all her friends and family for the next four generations. Babchi loved Elvis Presley and could usually be found sunbathing on her porch, reading, and listening to polka or talk radio. She enjoyed having company and loyally prepared family Christmas and Thanksgiving dinner until the age of 94. Babchi was a kind, selfless, strong, and gentle person, always there to brighten the lives of others. She will forever be dearly loved and sadly missed.
Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate Stella’s life by joining the family by gathering for her Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, August 8, at 11 :00 a.m. at Saint John Church, 44 Temple Street, Worcester. Burial in Saint John’s Cemetery, Worcester will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Central MA Hospice, 191 Pakachoag St. Auburn. With their support, Stella's last wish to die at home, with dignity and grace, and surrounded by love, was honored.