Obituary of Jeanette K. Stella

Jeanette Kathleen Stella (nee Mitchard) passed away on Saturday June 5th, 2021.  Jeanette was born on February 5, 1947 in Jersey City, NJ to the late John J. Mitchard and Isabella (nee Stewart) Heymer.  She grew up in Union City and Jersey City and was a 45-year resident of Ridgefield Park where she raised her family.

Jeanette graduated from Dickinson High School in 1965 and received a full scholarship to Katherine Gibbs School in New York, where she completed her secretarial degree in March of 1966.  Jeanette had a successful career as a financial aid advisor for a business school and then as an executive administrative assistant for various banks.  She was a former parishioner of the Neighborhood Reformed Church in Ridgefield Park, where she taught Sunday School for many years.  In these roles, Jeanette was able to fulfill her love of teaching and helping others and touched so many lives.

On August 20th, 1966, Jeanette married her childhood sweetheart and love of her live, Lawrence John Stella. Together, they had two daughters.

Jeanette is survived by her devoted husband, Larry Stella; her loving children, Jennifer Durocher (Mark) and Allison Frank (Joe); sister, Isabel Orriss; sister-in-law, Carole Mitchard; grandchildren, Kari Durocher Servas (Mike), Anthony and Alexandria Frank; great grandson, Benjamin Servas, and countless nieces and nephews.  Jeanette is predeceased by her brother, Jack Mitchard and brother-in-law, Donald Orriss.

She is remembered for her smile, strength, intelligence, courage, bravery, and above all, her love for and devotion to her family.

The funeral service will be conducted at Vorhees Ingwersen Funeral Home on Thursday, June 10th at 10am. Visitation Wednesday 5-9pm.  Interment Crest Haven Memorial Park, Clifton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.