Stella Alessio

Stella L. Alessio, 95, of Fallowfield Township, formerly of Donora, peacefully went to be with the Heavenly Father on Monday, July 29, 2013, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Donora, Dec. 16, 1917, a daughter of John and Emelia Zubowicz Helinsky. A devout Catholic, she was a member of Our Lady of the Valley, Donora, Democratic Ladies Association of Donora and the AARP. She was an avid flower gardener, a tedious homemaker and enjoyed cooking for family and holiday dinners. She was a gentle and soft spoken lady with and endearing smile and sparkling eyes, and a generous soul who put her family first. She was a loving wife to her husband, Frank Alessio, whom she married Jan. 28, 1947, and who died May 11, 1999; a beloved mother to her daughter, Dolores Alessio Sebold, of Fallowfield Township; devoted grandmother to Allysia Sebold, Nicholas Sebold and Miranda Sebold Martin and her husband, James; and a special great-grandmother to James Martin III, who was the light of her life. She has always been affectionately known as "Baba" to family and "Stella Bella" to friends. In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Alessio is preceded in death by a brother, William Helinski Sr.; an infant sister, Josephine Helinsky; and a son-in-law, Gary Sebold. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday July 31, 2013, in the MELENYZER-DUBARR FUNERAL HOMES AND CREMATION SERVICES, INC., 825 Fallowfield Ave., Charleroi. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2013, at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of the Valley Church, Donora, with the Rev. Pierre Falkenhan as celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Dominic's Cemetery. Friends and family are asked to meet at the church and not at the funeral home the morning of the funeral.