Sister Stella A Slonski, CSJ, died on April 8. She was born in Baltimore on Nov. 28, 1946, the daughter of Casimir and Stella Slonski. Sister Stella’s home parish was St. Elizabeth’s in Wyckoff Heights, New Jersey, but she was eventually enrolled in St. Paschal Baylon Elementary School and High School in Queens, where she received her high school diploma, and entered the Sisters of St. Joseph, Brentwood in 1964. 

Her higher education history includes a B.S. in education from Brentwood College (1969), and an M.S. and permanent certification in education from Queens College. Sister Stella’s educational ministry began in Our Lady of Snows School, North Floral Park, where she taught first grade for seven years, and continued as a primary grade teacher in St. Martha’s, Uniondale, and St. Bernard’s, Levittown. In 1978, she completed Level II Advanced Certification in religious education from the Diocese of Rockville Centre. 

Her heart was calling her to the hospital/pastoral care ministry, and thus began her chaplaincy from 1984-2001 at St. John’s Queens Hospital, during which time she got her certification as chaplain from the National Association of Catholic Chaplains. From 2001-2008, she was vice president of mission at St. Vincent’s Catholic Medical Center in Elmhurst, after which she became chaplain at the St. Francis Hospital Infusion Unit in Roslyn, New York, until illness struck her several months ago. 

Sister Stella’s total focus in her ministry encompassed every aspect of each patient’s life, as well as concern for her day-to-day coworkers, medical team members, hospital personnel, and all whose lives she regularly touched. Her outreach often continued with the family as well until her own death. 

Besides being a “people person,” Sister Stella loved gardening and the outdoors. 

A funeral Mass was celebrated by Msgr. Casper J. Furnari on April 17 at Sacred Heart Chapel, Brentwood. Burial was in Calvary Cemetery, Brentwood.