Stella E. (Corrado) Polcari
Of Belmont, passed away peacefully in her home on February 1st at the age of 100. Loving daughter of the late Mark & Felicetta Corrado of East Boston. Beloved wife of the late Joseph M. Polcari. Dear sister of the late Benita Festa & the late Henry Corrado. Cherished aunt of Barbara Holden & her husband Fred of Delray Beach, Florida, Beverly Pacheco & the late Rich Pacheco of Marshfield, Elaine Festa of Saugus & Albert J. Festa, Jr. & his wife Arlene of Winthrop. Adored grand aunt of Cheryl Holden Cuddy, Rick Holden, Robert Bagley, David Bagley, Kristin Mackenzie, Albert Festa, III, Jennifer Festa Buono & Stephanie Dunbar and great-grandaunt of 12 nieces & nephews.
Stella was a graduate of East Boston High School in 1937. She met the love of her life Joe and married in 1943. At the time of their marriage Joe had been in Hawaii stationed at Pearl Harbor. Stella joined Joe in Hawaii and worked for two years as a secretary in the naval office. Upon returning home in 1945, Stella began working for The Dodge Chemical Company in Kenmore Sq., Boston. She began working as a bookkeeper for 9 years where she learned about the unique business in serving the needs of Funeral Directors & Embalmers. She became administrative assistant to the president for the next 30 years. There at Dodge, she would become the “go to gal” for the many Boston Funeral Directors & directors within the surrounding communities that Dodge served. Stella’s magnetism & professionalism instilled in her clients, a long lasting & faithful allegiance to Dodge Chemical. Many funeral directors recall with endearing nostalgia, the personal attention accorded to them by Stella. It may be noted that Stella was the fruition of humble, hardworking Italian immigrant parents, who passed onto their children, that often sought after, attribute, “pride in your work”. She loved her job and would have stayed working longer had her husband not insist that she finally retire. Upon retirement, the company honored her & Joe with a trip to revisit Hawaii. Following retirement, Stella and Joe spent time visiting their nieces and nephews as well as enjoying time in Florida and Cape Cod. Stella loved to travel and finally fulfilled a lifelong dream trip to Italy with her niece. She always kept busy and never missed completing even the most challenging crossword puzzle, as well as never missing a family gathering. She will always be known as “Auntie.”
A Funeral Mass was celebrated privately at St. Joseph – St. Lazarus Church, East Boston where she was married from.
Remembrances may be made to Feed the Children by visiting www.FeedtheChildren.org an organization very dear to Stella’s heart.
She is now resting in peace