Stella G. (Bialek) Wasco (1916-2024)

Stella G. (Bialek) Wasco, age 106, died peacefully on Friday, January 12, 2024, in her home surrounded by her loving family. Born and raised in McKees Rocks, she was the fourth of seven children born to Polish immigrant parents Stanley and Mary (Gill) Bialek. She attended Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic School and was a 1934 graduate of Miles Bryan High School in McKees Rocks. She was a former member of Good Samaritan Parish in Amdridge. Stella married her beloved husband, Charles  Wasco in 1944 and enjoyed 44 years of a beautiful marriage until his passing in 1988. Preceding her in death in addition to her parents and her husband were her cherished son, Charles Stanley Wasco in 1961, brothers, Walter S. Bialek and Frank M. Bialek, both of McKees Rocks, and sisters and brother-in-laws, Josephine  and Boleslaus Balawajder, Port Author, TX, Helen and Harry Lubinski, Sr. McKees Rocks, Evelyn and Frank Mastalerz, Charleston, WV, and a niece, Loretta B. Handley (the late William), Portland, OR. While raising her children, Stella was involved in community activities and scouting and supporting her husband’s involvement with the Leetsdale Fire Department. She was a woman of faith and family and fostering her Polish heritage. Stella retired from the Municipal Authority of the Borough of Leetsdale where she served as secretary from its inception. In 1979, she was the first woman in Pennsylvania to receive the PMAA Sahli Award given in recognition of longtime service. Retirement years were spent traveling with her family, enjoying cruises, Walt Disney World, and summers in Rehoboth Beach, DE. Stella is survived by her devoted daughter, Mary Jane Wasco of Sewickley and her cherished sister, Lucille Bialek Bradley (late brother-in-law, Kenneth) of Denver, CO along with devoted nieces, nephews, their spouses, and their children from both the Bialek and Wasco families. Family and friends will be received on Wednesday, January 17 from 2-4 and 6-8 PM in the John Syka Funeral Home, Inc. 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge where prayers will be offered on Thursday, January 18 at 10 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 AM at Divine Redeemer Parish, St. James Catholic Church, 200 Walnut Street, Sewickley. Her former pastor, Father Thomas J. Burke will concelebrate the Mass along with her pastor, Father Brian W. Noel. Interment will follow in Resurrection Cemetery, Moon Twp. In lieu of flowers, it was Stella’s request that memorial contributions be made to St. Vincent de Paul Society of Divine Redeemer Parish, 200 Walnut Street, Sewickley, PA, 15143 or to the Leetsdale Garden Club, 373 Beaver Street, Leetsdale, PA 15056.