South San Francisco, CA May 11, 2021 by Garden Chapel Funeral Directors
Born on April 3, 1928 in Malta was called to her Heavenly home on May 3, 2021. Stella died in the comfort of her own home. Stella will be dearly missed by her daughter Eileen (Doug) Vivion, son Tony DeCesare, grandchildren Jeremy Jalilie (Michele), Hilary Keller, Christina Jalilie, Angela Piegaia, Christopher DeCesare, Brittany (Lucas) Hagan, great grandchildren Christiana Jalilie, Jeremiah Jalilie, Bri O’Brien and Cali O’Brien, Max Simpson, Gracyn Hagan, Alex Hagan and Mikael Hagan . Brothers Ronald Aquilina and Fred Aquilina, sister Jane Zwicker. Preceded in death by her beloved husband Frank DeCesare, daughter MaryJane Piegaia, parents Michael and Phillipa Aquilina, brothers Joe Aquilina, Emmanuel Aquilina, Charles Aquilina, sisters Mary Andrews, Pauline Aquilina and Vickie Tanti.
Stella retired from Metropolitan furniture company where she worked as an upholsterer. She did an exceptional job upholstering furniture. She was also an excellent seamstress who sewed beautiful clothing.
One of Stella’s favorite pastimes was playing bingo. At times she would go and play bingo several times a week. She also loved to cook and bake. If you went to her house she would always want to feed you. She cooked Maltese pastizzis. They were delicious!
Stella volunteered her time and efforts for over 28 years of service (well over 5,000 hours) to SSF Kaiser hospital as a volunteer patient assistant. She would spend endless hours knitting blankets, scarves, slippers and hats. They were donated to patients in the hospital, nursing homes, homeless shelters and the women’s battered shelter. She was a dedicated parishioner of Mater Dolorosa church for 60 years. She volunteered at all of the fun events. She volunteered her time at several other places. She was the recipient in 2015 of the Maltese cross foundation award for all of her hard work. She was the president at the Moose Lodge in Daly City for 1 year.
Stella loved, above all else her family, her friends, her church, and traveling to many places around the world. She would get together many people to go on cruises and also bus trips. She went back to visit Malta a few times. She had a lot of fun traveling throughout her life.
Stella had a heart of gold! If someone needed her help, she wouldn’t let them down. She will be missed by many.
Services for Stella will be as follows:
Garden Chapel, Thursday May 13th – 4 – 6 PM
Mater Dolorosa Church service, Friday May 14th at 10:00 am
Holy Cross Cemetery immediately following where she will lay to rest.