Josephine “Josie” Vaccarello Stankay, of 180 Elizabeth Street, Landisville, PA, formerly of Waterford and Erie, PA, passed away at Lancaster General Hospital on August 15, 2011 after a brief but serious illness. Born August 6, 1926 in McKean, PA, she was the daughter of the late Dominick and Rose Vaccarello.
Josie was a hairdresser and owned her own beauty salon for many years. In 1971 she married the late Steve Stankay of Waterford, PA. She was a member of All Saints Parish in Waterford for many years; she was a member of the Secular Franciscan Order, and was professed on April 25, 1995; and she belonged to the Fraternity of the Canticles of the Son of Waterford. In 2010, she relocated to Landisville, PA to be near her son and daughter-in-law.
Josie was preceded in death by two brothers and four sisters. Survivors include her son Dennis J. Fitzsimmons and daughter-in-law Shirley of Manheim, PA; two sisters, Anna Dominick of Lakewood, NY and Rose Staab (John) of Erie, PA; and many nieces, nephews, dear friends and the “Gang”. She was well-known and loved in the community of Waterford for her friendly, generous, and outspoken nature.
Friends and relatives are invited to attend a memorial mass at All Saints Church in Waterford on Monday, August 22, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Fr. Thomas Whitman officiating. A luncheon will immediately follow. Burial will be private at Waterford Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Humane Society of Northwestern Pennsylvania, Erie, PA.
I feel privileged to have known Josie for the last 4 months. She was a very lovely person and so kind and sweet. I was more than distressed when she told me of her medical condition. I hope you are comforted that she did not have to suffer. She was a remarkable woman and truly adored her son and his wife. She touched the lives of many of us here at Weis Markets. I still expect to see her come in to chat and I will certainly miss her very much. I know that she is with our Lord and deservedly so. Our loss of an angel and good friend.
also want to add we all feel Josiie was like an angel…
give us smiles, hugs, encouragement when she also
needed it.
To son Dennis and Shirley and family.
I first met Josie at Weis super market in Landisville Pa., when Josie moved to
Landisville a year aga. We all fell in love with her…I am a cashier and would see
Josie once or twice a week. Would enjoy chatting with her and she was always
concerned how I was doing as had some physcial issues. She would make her rounds
at the store talking with everyone and everyone just loved her. I missed her the
last week or so and found out she had been ill and passed on to be with our Lord.
I was shocked as did not know she had been sick..She will truly be missed…by us all
She was a loving, caring person and so attractive..who would have thought she was
85…no way. Just wanted to pass along to you you had a wonderful caring mother
and I was privliedged to have known her for a short period of time a little over a year.
Hang on to the prcious memories you have. God Bless the children and family
and may our Lord give you Peach and comfort at this time.
Kay Repine
Cashier/Weis….Landisville Pa
Josie shopped at the store I work at. Her smile and conversations were always enough to brighten our day. She was such a sweet lady and I will miss seeing her in our store.
Aunt Josie was a wonderful person and friend. She always had a smile on her face, a beautiful silky blouse and a personality that was soft, warm and sweet. Most of all she was a great wife to my Uncle Steve and took care of him like an angel from heaven till he passed. She loved God and I know she is now safe in His arms. To Denny and Shirley whom she loved and adored, my husband Jerry and I send our deepest sympathy. Love, Patty and Jerry rhone
My name is Cheri and I work at Weis in Landisville and I am so saddened to learn of Josie’s death. She was by far one the sweetest people I have ever met. She introduced herself to me one day while I was at lunch and we had a very nice conversation while she kept me company. From then on I looked forward to seeing her. Everyone at the store is just devastated. She is the type of person who makes working in retail worth it. She always had a smile and pleasant conversation for everyone. The world is a little darker for her light having left it. She will be greatly missed! My thoughts and prayers go out to her friends and family.