Stella Lozupone Ballaron

STELLA LOZUPONE BALLARON, 93, OF POTTSTOWN Stella Lozupone Ballaron, 93, of Pottstown, formerly of Newtown Square, passed away Saturday, Dec. 28, 2013, at Pottstown Memorial Medical Center, surrounded by her children. She most recently resided at the Sanatoga Center. Born in Valenzano, Bari, Italy, she was the daughter of the late Paulo and Irene (DiTardi) Lozupone. Surviving is her son Frank Ballaron, husband of Sandi of Winter Garden, FL; daughters Flossy Stewart, wife of Ed of Pottstown, Theresa Ballaron of Cortez, CO, and Tina Ballaron of Farmington, NM; grandchildren CarriAn Murray, wife of Neal of Reading, Alan Stewart, husband of Tiffany of Reading, Jake Mace of Centreville, VA, and Julia Mace of Kagawa, Japan; great grandchildren Olivia, Spencer, Kayla, Wesley, Gwendolyn, Brady, and Isabella; sisters Teresa, Rosa, Nina, and Memena of Valenzano, Italy; numerous family members in the US and Italy; and many good friends. Along with her parents, Stella was predeceased by her brother, Francisco Lozupone, and her granddaughter, Krysta Lyn Ballaron. Stella arrived in the United States in 1946 aboard the USA Hospital Ship Algonquin with her infant son. She proudly became a naturalized US citizen in 1951. She resided in Newtown Square, with her family until moving to the Pottstown area in 1965. Alongside her former husband, Albert, she opened Sparky's Corner in Coventryville. Stella was known for her scrumptious meatballs and minestrone and truly enjoyed cooking good wholesome food for her customers. She "covered" many of her family and friends with beautifully hand crocheted and knitted Afghans. She later worked at Coventry Manor Nursing Home, Coventry Forge Inn, Coventry Tea Room, and the Word Tech Group before retiring. Stella was passionate about her family. She was a proud and courageous mother who strove to instill the American Dream in her family and worked hard to keep her family together surmounting near impossible odds. She loved spending time with all her family members, most especially her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She was a devout Catholic and found a special connection with Saints Rocco and Padre Pio. Stella was a long time member of the Newtown Square Fire Company's Ladies Auxiliary and often volunteered at the Crow Canyon Archaeological Center when visiting Colorado. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2013, 10:30 a.m. at St. Aloysius Roman Catholic Church, 223 Beech St., Pottstown, PA 19464. Interment will be private. Visitation will be held Tuesday from 9:30-10:15 a.m. at the church. Contributions may be made in Stella's honor to St. Aloysius Roman Catholic Church at the above address. Catagnus Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Inc., 711 N. Franklin St., Pottstown is in charge of arrangements. View obituaries or send condolences at www.catagnusfuneralhomes.com