Stella Dancey, beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, Yaya, and friend departed this life on March 24, 2016. She displayed the same strength, grace, and courage in her death as she did in her long and beautiful life.
Stella was born in 1922 in New Brunswick, NJ to Vassillios Gitantzides and Kalliope Tsoukaladakis, who both emigrated from Greece. Her father, who was known as "Bill the Barber" at Curchin's Barber Shop in Red Bank, was a proud patriot of his adopted country. Her mother was a seamstress and the daughter of olive farmers on the island of Samos.
Stella graduated from New Brunswick High School in 1940 and was trained soon after as a secretary. She started work at Camp Evans in Belmar during WWII, where she met her husband Frank after his service in Africa and Italy in the Army Air Forces. Soon after her marriage in 1948 Stella was employed at Ft. Monmouth where she supported our military members during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. During her career she had three children, John, Michael, and Kathy and raised them in Shrewsbury where she and Frank made their home. She retired from Ft. Monmouth in 1981, where she was able to work for many years with her sister, Catherine "Casey" Ross. After retiring, Stella enjoyed spending time with Frank, her family, and friends and attending reunions with Frank's WWII Bomber Group.
Read more ...