Stella M. Reiners, 89, formerly of Pittsburgh and Cambridge Springs, died April 17, 2008, at Wesbury United Methodist Retirement Community, Meadville, PA where she was a resident for several years. Stella was born February 28, 1919, in Millvale, PA, a daughter of the late Nicholas and Stella Stenger Mergel. She attended school in Millvale and married Robert J. Reiners on October 16, 1943. She later lived in Glenshaw, PA for many years moving to the Cambridge Springs area in 1974 with her husband after his retirement. They resided at their country home, Sparrowood Wildlife Sanctuary. A homemaker, she worked as a civilian employee with the US Army during WWII. She received many awards and accolades for her work for animal rights. An avid baker and cook, in 1968 she won first place in the National Chicken Cooking Contest for her recipe, Honey-Mint Spiced Chicken, and she made the best apple and blueberry pies. She enjoyed birding, and her favorite times were spent on field trips with other birders and with the North Park Hiking Group. She contributed her time to the Springs Manor Auxiliary, Presque Isle Audubon Society and Cambridge Springs Senior Center. In addition, she was a member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Cambridge Springs, Tamarack Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center, Crawford County Humane Society, and several national humane organizations. She was a vegetarian for 30 years.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Robert J. Reiners, who died in 2004; also by a son, Jimmy; and by many beloved pets that shared her life over the years. Survivors include her son, Robert J. Reiners, Jr., and his wife Dorothy of Pittsburgh and Lee Ann Reiners and her husband Charles J. Houpt of Tidioute.
A memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday morning at 11:00 a.m. at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Cambridge Springs with Monsignor Lawrence Speice, pastor, as celebrant. There will be no visitation. Arrangements are under the direction of the Van Matre Family Funeral Home in Cambridge Springs. Memorials may be sent to Tamarack Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, 21601 Stull Rd., Saegertown, PA 16433, or Presque Isle Audubon Society, 301 Peninsula Drive, Suite 8, Erie, PA 16505.