Tamaqua – Stephanie "Stella" R. (Zinda) Chesney, 99, passed away May 25, 2022 at St. Luke's Hospital, Coaldale.

She was born in Natalie on December 26, 1922, the daughter of Joseph and Josephine (Budjako) Zinda.

Stella was a graduate of St. Casimir's Parochial School and a 1940 graduate of Kulpmont High School. She was crowned the first "Belle of the Ball" at the 1940 Kulpmont High School prom. On May 5, 1945 she married Vincent P. Chesney in the former St. Casimir's Church, Kulpmont. They were married for 59 years, just shy of their 60th anniversary. She resided in Kulpmont for 50 years and Coal Township for 43 years before moving to live with her daughter, Claudia and her husband, Victor in 2015.

She was a member of the former St. Casimir's Church, Kulpmont, St. Stephen's Church, Coal Township, Our Lady of Hope Church, Coal Township, and most recently a member of the Church of the Holy Angels, Kulpmont. Stella was also a member of the St. Casimir's Rosary Society, Kulpmont High School Alumni Society, American Cancer Relay for Life in Memory her daughter, Jane Korbich. Stella was the Chairman of the American Heart Association in Kulpmont for many years.

Stella was proud of the home she had made for her family and enjoyed gardening. Many favorite times were shared entertaining her family and friends, especially during the holidays. Her time spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren story telling and vacationing at Wildwood, NJ brought smiles to all. In her final years spent in Hometown, she developed an interest and passion for painting, taught to her by her grandson, Brian. Her love for football was evident throughout her life and she enjoyed attending and following her grandsons' years playing and coaching the sport.

Stella is survived by two sons, William Chesney and wife, Lenore of Coal Township and Robert Chesney and wife, Claudia of Kulpmont; a daughter, Claudia Gogal and husband, Victor of Tamaqua; ten grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Dorothy Klokis of Kulpmont; as well as many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, Stella was preceded in death by her daughter, Jane Korbich and husband, Lee; a brother, Leonard Zinda and wife, Mildred; two sisters, Helene (infant) and Martha Zorica and her husband, Walter; and three brothers-in-law, Frank Chesney and his wife, Theresa, Edward Chesney and wife, Isabelle, and Daniel Klokis.

FUNERAL NOTICE

Stephanie "Stella" R. (Zinda) Chesney, 99, of Tamaqua – Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, June 1, 2022 at 11 a.m. with Father Andrew Stahmer officiating in the Church of the Holy Angels, 855 Scott St., Kulpmont. Burial will follow in St. Casimir's Cemetery, Marion Heights. Viewing will be held Tuesday, May 31, 2022 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. with a rosary at 8 p.m. in the C. J. Lucas Funeral Home Inc., 1053 Chestnut St., Kulpmont, Malcom C. Farrow IV, Supervisor and Wednesday, June 1, 2022 in the Church of the Holy Angels from 9 a.m. until the time of the Mass. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Mother Pauline Center at 1150 Chestnut St., Kulpmont PA 17834.