Stella De Biasio

Stella De Biasio (nee Groncki) age 98 of Wayne passed away peacefully in her home on September 14, 2020.

She was born in Passaic, New Jersey to Wojciech and Mary Groncki. Stella’s father, three siblings, and extended family raised her from when she was three years old following her mother’s untimely passing. Stella and her family supported and relied on each other as they strove to maintain the welfare of their family. They each contributed to maintaining the family’s independence, and Stella began working in the clothing mills of Passaic at a young age. The loving bonds she and her siblings developed as children continued to grow throughout their lives.

One evening at a dance during the Second World War, Stella met a handsome young man named John De Biasio. They danced together, began a wonderful courtship, and soon fell in love. They were married at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Passaic in 1944 and celebrated their honeymoon in New York City. They initially settled in Clifton, NJ where they lived for fifteen years before finding their permanent home in Wayne. The love the two of them shared for each other lasted their entire lives.

To Stella, the greatest personal values grew from an appreciation of family and home. She instilled in her children and grandchildren the same virtues with which she was raised: kindness, industriousness, honor, and integrity. Despite the challenge of losing most of her hearing in her 40’s, Stella demonstrated her resilience: she adapted and maintained her cherished connections to friends and family. Well into her 80’s, Stella modeled the remarkable strength of her character as she never failed to offer time, effort, or love to those important to her.

Stella will be remembered fondly by her family and friends for the many ways in which she connected with other people. Over the years, she became known for her cooking and baking, especially her lasagna, crisp roasted potatoes, cookies, and homemade pies. For her grandchildren, she was always a welcome presence whether she watched a performance proudly from the audience or hugged them with all her strength. She and her husband John were avid travelers and loved to explore the world with family and friends. Stella was an active Roman Catholic and founding member of Our Lady of the Valley Roman Catholic Church in Wayne. She always found ways to support her family and her community.

Stella was defined by her strength, hard work, generosity, and love of family. Above all she loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren all of whom she was always ready to help whenever she could. She loved people, whether dancing with friends or traveling the world. She was an extraordinary person who touched the lives of many people and will be deeply missed by all who were blessed to know her.

Stella is survived by her two daughters, Joan Chrisbacher and her husband Al of Stonington, CT and Barbara DeCamp and her husband Tim of Wayne; one son, John and his wife Lynn of River Vale; twelve grandchildren, John, Donna, Jason, Michele, Kristy, Thomas, Justin, Nicole, Danielle, Lauren, Kim, and Greg; and twelve  great-grandchildren, Elise, Amy, Alexander, Alexa, Gavin, Isabella, Ian, Emilia, Lorenzo, Annabelle, Liliana, and Ainsley. She was predeceased by her husband, John De Biasio; her brother, John Groncki; her sisters, Sophie Jaskot and Jean Waller; and her granddaughter Karen.

Those wishing to make a donation in Stella’s name are asked to consider Alzheimer’s Foundation, 425 Eagle Rock Avenue., Suite 203, Roseland, NJ 07068.