Born in Buffalo, NY on March 25, 1936, Stella was the daughter of the late Alexander and Viola (née Mogilny) Wawrowski.

Stella was a longtime employee of Hills Department Store. Prior to Hills, she worked at various other local retail stores, such as Loblaws, Gammon’s, Fedyszyn’s and Present Company.

She enjoyed playing bingo, cooking, baking, gardening, fishing and an occasional scratch off lottery ticket. But above all, Stella loved spending time with her family and reminiscing about days gone by.

She was the life of the party at family gatherings and loved holidays and celebrating Polish traditions. Stella was also a proud member of the Bills Mafia and an avid Buffalo Sabers fan. She was a long time member of St Hyacinth/Blessed Mary Angela parish.

On June 11, 1955, she married Bernard W. Karalus Jr., who predeceased her on December 26, 1982.

She is survived by her daughter, Catherine (Thomas) Reilly; his son, Mark (Diane Sell) Karalus; grandchildren: Brandon (Katie) Reilly, Alexander Reilly, Christopher Reilly, Mark Karalus Jr. and Katelyn Karalus; also a great-grandson, Patrick Reilly.

Stella was the second youngest, she was predeceased by nine siblings: Henry, Alexander, Anthony, John, Laura, Mary, Rita, Josephine and Pearl. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

A Christian burial mass will be celebrated Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. in the Blessed Mary Angela Roman Catholic Parish Church of St. Hyacinth. Interment will be in the Saint-Hyacinthe cemetery. There will be no pre-visit and flowers are gratefully declined.

Arrangements are from R. Mackowiak Funeral Home Inc., 56 E. Doughty St., Dunkirk.