Obituary of Stella Dlugokecki

The family of Stella Dlugokecki (Duke) is saddened by her passing. Beloved sister, aunt and great aunt at the age of 79. Stella had struggled with A.L.S. for four years but was very accepting of her affliction and showed great courage and grace under extremely difficult circumstances. She will be profoundly missed by her loving and devoted sister Julie Dlugokecki, who has been her sole caregiver for the last few years. She will be sadly missed by her sister Helen Zalobka and her husband Stephen with whom she shared many trips and family gatherings. Stella will also be missed by her sister-in-law Anne Dlugokecki, her nieces and nephews, Theresa Toews (Al), Patricia Appleby (Bill), Rick Dlugokecki (Pam), Ron Dlugokecki (Anne), Ray Dlugokecki (Annette), Laurie Lowe, Lynne Quigley (Jerry), Lisa Bredin (Sean), Willy Fleras (Becci), Arlene Lammert (Rick), Brian Fisher (Nancy). Also survived by many great nieces and nephews. Stella was predeceased by her parents, Romuald and Ludwika (nee Bukowski), her sister Janine Ilowski, and brother John Dlugokecki, three nieces; Diane Riedel and her son Timothy, Lucyll Fleras and Christine Fisher. Stella had a very successful career as a high fashion buyer which included many trips to New York and European fashion houses. She retired from Chanel Boutique Toronto in 2000. Our sincere thanks to Dr. Lois McLaughlin for her special care given to Stella. Friends are invited to share their memories of Stella with her family during visitation at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo, on Thursday, April 7, 2011 from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. Parish Prayers and Rosary will be held Thursday at 8:30pm. The family will gather at the funeral home for prayers on Friday morning followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at St. Louis RC Church, Friday at 11:00 am with the Rev. Tim Uniac, CR as Celebrant. A reception will follow in the Parish Hall of the church. Cremation will take place and a private family interment will be held at a later date at Mount Hope Cemetery. Condolences for the family and donations to Freeport Health Centre of Grand River Hospital or St. Louis RC Church may be arranged through the funeral home at www.erbgood.com or 519.745.8445.