Stella Marie Brelis

Stella Marie Brelis October 24, 1927 May 1, 2012 Stella Marie Brelis of Portland, Maine died on May 1, 2012 at St Joseph's Manor after a long period of declining health. Born October 24, 1927 in Portland, Maine, Stella was the daughter of Biaggio and Pauline (Paola) (DeForte Vasile) Severino. She graduated from Portland High School in 1945. Stella married Peter Christos Brelis on April 21, 1951. Peter served in the U.S. Navy and they lived first in San Diego, California where their son Christopher was born in 1960. They later lived in Norfolk, Virginia before settling in Portland, ME in 1968. Stella worked in various local banks as a teller for 18 years. She really enjoyed her contact with "her" customers recounting especially how some of the older Italian women would hang back and say "I wait for Stell-a!" After her retirement, Stella and Peter enjoyed winters in Hollywood and then St. Petersburg, Florida where they made many friends with whom they kept in touch over the years. Stella loved to entertain friends and family, joking often that there wasn't enough to eat, and then looking slyly around the table laden with delicious food that everyone was obviously enjoying. Her family loved her Italian cooking, especially looking forward to her spaghetti dinners and glad of the leftovers to take home. Stella and Peter were great dancers and loved to go to dances and parties. When they began to dance, people would always stop to watch because it was obvious how much they enjoyed it and how much fun they were having. It was always fun to watch them because they were so good at it and made it look so easy. Stella loved going on cruises, often mentioning the cruises that they had taken. Family was so important to Stella. She was fiercely proud of her whole family and loved them intensely. She was an especially thrilled and proud grandmother. Stella is survived by her devoted husband of 61 years, Peter; their beloved son, Christopher and his wife, Elise (Blagdon) Brelis and her two grandchildren, Athena Brelis of Red Bank, NJ and Nathan Brelis of Rollinsford, NH. Stella also leaves behind her sister, Aggripina (Bebe) Mazzola of Lynnfield, MA and many loving nieces and nephews. Stella was predeceased by her sister, Jennie Cierillo; her brother, James (Jimmy) Vasile, as well as his wife, Marian, who was her dear friend; her sister, Josephine (Jo) Mayer; her brother, Anthony (Tony) Severino; her sister, Nancy Pompeo; her sister, Nancy Gilberti and her brother, John (Sonny) Severino. Stella will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her family and friends. Visiting hours will be held from 2-4 PM and from 6-8 PM on Sunday, May 6, 2012, at A.T. Hutchins Funeral and Cremation Services, 660 Brighton Ave., Portland. Prayers will be recited 9 A.M. on Monday, May 7, 2012, at the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 A.M. at St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church, 72 Federal St., Portland, with interment immediately following at Calvary Cemetery in South Portland. To offer words of condolence, sign a guest book and share memories, go to the obituary page at www.athutchins.com.

Stella Marie Brelis

October 24, 1927 - May 1, 2012

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