Loved opera and adventure
Published October 21, 2020
LYNNFIELD — Adrienne C. Stella, 81, a resident of Lynnfield for over 50 years before relocating to Wakefield, died peacefully of natural causes on Friday, Oct. 16, 2020.
Born in Boston, she was the daughter of Italian immigrants, Marco Sullo from Panni and Caroline Sullo from Alanno. She was the beloved wife of the late Paul J. Stella. She was the loving mother of Stephanie Klove and her husband Mark of Lynnfield, Joseph Stella and his wife Stella of Boston, and Paulette Folkins and her husband Paul of Lynnfield.
Adrienne was raised in East Boston and graduated from Medford High School. She married her childhood sweetheart, Paul, and quickly began raising a family.
She was a loving and caring wife and mother as well as a tremendous cook, preparing dishes she watched her grandmother prepare, while teaching her own grandchildren.
With her beloved husband, she was never one to turn away from an adventure or new experience. Together they traveled throughout the United States and Europe, especially Italy. She shared the love of the opera with Paul and they frequently visited the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, as well as visiting opera houses throughout Europe. She also never ran away from a roller-coaster or Disney parade with her grandchildren. Mostly, she loved relaxing on the coast of Maine or Lake Sunapee, New Hampshire while basking in the glow of her growing family.
Always supportive and standing by her husband’s side, they founded P.J. Stella Construction in 1971, where Adrienne played a critical and active role in growing the business for over 35 years. In addition to enjoying AGC events with Paul, she was a member of NAWIC, and an active supporter of the Home for Little Wanderers, serving as a Lynnfield chapter president, along with participating in several other charitable organizations. She was also a very active parishioner of St. Maria Goretti Church in Lynnfield.
Adrienne was inseparable from her beloved husband, Paul, for more than 60 years and she could never fill the void left in her heart since his passing. The love, devotion, care, and respect that they had for each other exemplified the beautiful legacy that they created with their children and extended family. She was a warm, sweet, and caring women and she lived her life with class and dignity.
Adrienne was a proud grandmother of 10: Paul, Ashley, Alexandra, Tara, Danielle, Chris, Joe, Kelsey, Carmela and Jess. She was also the great-grandmother of seven: Michael, Harper, Lyla, Sage, Blake, Tatum, and Stella. She was the sister of Richard Sullo and his wife Ali, Robert Sullo and his late wife Eileen, and Mark Sullo. She loved and was loved by her extended family.
A private family funeral service will be held from the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Adrienne’s name may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 309 Waverly Oaks Road, Waltham, MA 02452, (Donate online https://alz.org/).
