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BORN
1940
DIED
2020
Isabel Stella Obituary
Earth lost a beautiful soul and heaven gained a shining star, with the passing of our beloved Isabel on March 20, 2020.
One of six children, she was born on July 31, 1940 to Jose and Maria Hernandez, in Adjuntas Puerto Rico. The family moved to Garfield, New Jersey in 1956. Jose sponsored Isabel and sister Esther with beautician school and then the expense of a startup business "Princess Coiffures", the beauty salon to be managed, by these two teenagers.
Isabel met her future husband Carl Stella, at an Italian dance (IL Corso Ballroom), in New York in 1962. It was to be the merger of two cultures, Puerto Rican and Italian, which timely mimicked the acclaimed Broadway Play, "Westside Story". They married in 1964 and moved to sunny California.
The family purchased their first home in the new community of Valencia in 1967. There, Isabel unselfishly doted on children Daniel Stella (Carol), Kimberly Fast (Mark), Candice Stella (Jan Skovgaard) and Vincent Stella (Alicia). Nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren followed.
A stay-at-home Mom, Isabel provided the family, with warm delicious meals, pristine housekeeping, motherly love, exhaustive community volunteering and countless children sleep overs.
With the children grown, Isabel pursued education. She earned a COC associates degree, a CSUN BS degree, and several certifications in sociology. In 1992, Isabel accepted an entry position in the LA County Social Services Department. Promotions and management positions followed and she retired in 2005 with a gala party attended by 200 guests, mainly LA County coworkers and supervisors. She was loved by staff, management, and clients.
Isabel was predeceased by her parents, infant granddaughter Ashely, and sisters Cristelia and Edith. Sister Esther passed away in early March 2021.
A funeral mass and burial will be attended by family only on March 20. Those so inclined may wish to donate in her honor to Isabel's favorite charity Autism Speaks.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Isabel Stella
6 Entries
Mary & Vincent stella
March 6, 2025
Isabel shall always be remembered by us for all the love she gave not only to us but the whole world. Her life truly made our world a better place as she touched countless lives. We miss her so much.
Betty Salazar-Bojorquez
November 4, 2021
I found this information today (11/4/21) and I was very saddened to discover of her passing. In 1993 I met Isabel Stella, she became my Supervisor while with the County of Los Angeles, and she was such a pleasure to work with. In 1995 she and Carl attended my wedding, and I was extremely happy that they took part in my life by sharing a special day. Isabel was always was gracious, generous, and king hearted to me and to everyone, I am so grateful to have known her. She will be extremely missed. To her family, all of my Sympathy and thank you for sharing her with all of us.
Yolanda Smith
March 17, 2021
I have been fortunate to know the Stella family for quite some time now and Mrs. Stella is truly missed. Mrs. Stella was kind, generous and always welcoming. I will forever hold wonderful memories of time spent sharing amazing meals and stories around the koi pond.
Mary and Vincent Stella
March 17, 2021
Isabel may have gotten to Heaven before us but her legacy here on earth will go on for many generations. She is surely missed by all those who loved her but the wonderful memories she created for us will live forever.
Anna & Tom Maroselli
March 17, 2021
So glad that our brother Carlo and Isabel found each other and that he brought her into our family. She was such an important part of our family, so warm, loving and hospitable. Isabel will be greatly missed, but part of her lives on in her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and her memory will live on in our hearts.
Candice
March 16, 2021
Dad, you said it all. Beautiful, poignant obituary. Mom is greatly missed.
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