Obituary of Stella K. Vitevitch
Stella Vitevitch, age 85, of Rome, passed away peacefully on November 10, 2024, after some years with dementia while staying on Long Island with her loving family by her side.
She was born on October 20, 1939, in Rome, a daughter of the late Waldyslaw and Frances Gozalkowski Kulisz. Stella grew up on Gansevoort Avenue and graduated from Rome Free Academy, with the Class of 1957. Stella was united in marriage to Carl R. Vitevitch on September 18, 1965, in a ceremony which took place at Transfiguration of Our Lord Church of Rome and thereafter, she was a United States Air Force wife and then a mother. The family were on bases in Alaska, Missouri, Virginia, and Pennsylvania until the family returned to Rome, NY in 1976.
She worked at many of the banks in her journey across the country and upon her arrival back to her beloved Rome, she was a longtime associate at Oneida National Bank (OnBANK) and M & T Bank. A blessed marriage of 37 years, Carl R. passed away on June 28, 2002.
She was a communicate and volunteer at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Lee Center and was very active in the local senior centers. She enjoyed walking and talking to her neighbors in Lee. Staying touch with Christmas cards the friends she met while traveling across the country with the Air Force. Attending the many polka dances at the Rome Polish Home and the area. Grand-mothering bought her great joy along with working on her family genealogy and visiting connecting with her relatives Western Pennsylvania, the beginnings of her family.
Stella is survived by her children, a son, Carl P. and daughter-in-law Kathleen of East Northport, NY, and a son, Michael and daughter-in-law Holly of Lawrence, KS; grandchildren, Carl A., Emily, Sophia and Alexander; along with nieces, Karen and Melissa; and nephews, Walter and David. She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Joseph of Pittsburgh, PA. She was predeceased by two sisters, Irene Penczek and Victoria Buckingham; and two brothers Walter Kulecz and Ambrose Kulisz.
She also has many cousins from her mother's siblings families - Rosalie Hrim, Joseph Gozalkowski, Anna Senesen, Mary Potocki, Helen Krywosa and Casmir Gozalkowski; enjoying the time spent with family at reunions. She also spoke often of visiting her grandmother's farm in Ava, Bertha Gozalkowski Glowaski and Louis Germanski and their son Edward until their passing.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday at 11 AM at the Transfiguration of Our Lord Church, with the Rev. Paul F. Angelicchio officiating. Stella will join Carl R. at St. Peter’s Cemetery, Rome.
Relatives and friends may call at the Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street, on Thursday from 4 to 7 PM.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to support your local veteran’s organization.
To brighten a down day, feel free to listen to a Polka - Dziekuje.
Please offer online tributes or light a candle at: www.BarryFuneralHome.com.