Sister Stella Catherine Auricchio, CSJ

Stella, Maria her sister who pre-deceased her, and her two brothers were the children of Italian immigrant parents, Marie and John. She grew up in Ozone Park and attended Saint Clements school before attending the Mary Louis Academy. When she graduated from Mary Louis in 1948, Stella’s intention was to enter the Sisters of Saint Jospeh. But her father was opposed, and Stella’s entrance had to be postponed while she worked for two years after which he reluctantly gave his consent. After letters to Sister Antonella, filled with regret over being unable to enter sooner, Stella was finally able to inform Sr. Antonella that she was free to enter in September 1950. So began Stella’s life as a Sister of Saint Joseph, which continued for 75 happy and grace-filled years. By 1962 Stella completed her BA degree in education at Saint John’s University and then went on to Manhattan College where she earned a MA degree in Religious Studies in 1972.

Stella’s entire life was devoted to the ministry of education, first as an elementary school teacher and then in Saint Brendan’s and Bishop Kearney HS where she taught religion, did campus ministry and was a class Dean. Except for one teaching assignment in Rosedale, Stella spent her entire life ministering in Brooklyn. In June 1971, while teaching at Saint Brendan’s, the general Superior at the time, Sister Joan de Lourdes, assigned Stella to what was then called “experimental living” in the apartment on E. 9th Street in Brooklyn.There, Stella who was always the ‘quiet and easy-going one,’ joined Sisters Kate Conroy, Ellie Dwyer, Margaret Ruddy, Mary Rose Feeny, and Carmelina Lally, in the experiment.

These six hard-working, and courageous women who left the security of a convent behind formed a joyous community known for its warm hospitality, out-of-the box thinking, laughter, and loving friendship. Everyone was welcome at East 9th. In 1998, when Ann, their landlady who was by then like a sister to them, had to sell the house, Stella moved with Kate, Ellie, and Willie to our house on President Street where the same spirit of openness and hospitality prevailed. After Kate and Ellie went home to God, Stella and Willie, both a little older and a little slower, but no less vibrant, continued the tradition of welcoming all.

That ‘experiment’ in community living went on for 49 years until 2020 when Willie went to Stella Maris, and Stella came here to Saint Joseph’s Convent where everyone grew to love this tiny woman with a big heart and a playful smile. Until the last few months of her life, Stella never ceased to be the same easy-going, joyous, and faith-filled woman she had always been. We thank Athena the administrator, Sister Josephine Community life coordinator, Kathy Feller our social worker, Stella’s dear friend Cannie who was always at her side, and all those who cared for her and surrounded her with love.
S. Maria Pascuzzi

Sister Stella Catherine Auricchio, CSJ, the former Sister Marie Goretti, died on March 20, 2025 in the 75th year of her religious life.