Alice Salome DeStephano, 89, of Saint Marys, surrounded by family, passed away on Saturday, April 21, 2018 at Penn Highlands Elk.
Mrs. DeStephano was born September 13, 1928 in Saint Marys, the daughter of the late Philip and Mary (Wolfe) Lecker. She was a 1946 graduate of Central Catholic High School. On October 16, 1954 at the Saint Marys Catholic Church, she married her beloved husband, Samuel W. DeStephano of Johnsonburg. He preceded her in death in October 1975.
Alice was a member of the Queen of the World Church, Elk County Aspiring Artists, and the Rosely Road Club. She was a loving wife, Mom, Aunt, Grandma, and homemaker. She was a warm-hearted friend who was always cheerful, never complaining, and compassionate to everyone she met. She made beautiful wedding cakes, loved flower gardening, writing poetry, painting, playing her violin, and cheering for her Pirates with her dear dog, Bernie. Alice’s strong faith and courage sustained her throughout her life.
Surviving are two daughters: Mary (DeStephano) Lorenzo of Saint Marys; Laura (DeStephano) Ishler and her husband, Jerome of Curwensville; two sons: Carl DeStephano and his wife, Elizabeth (Minekheim) of Baldwinsville, NY and Samuel J. DeStephano and his wife, Jennie (Potter) of Columbus, OH. Also surviving are three grandsons: Luke (Amit Shrivastava) Lorenzo, Mark Ishler, Benjamin DeStephano; one granddaughter: Isabella DeStephano, nine nephews, and three nieces.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, three sons: Mike DeStephano in 2014, John and David DeStephano in infancy; her grandson, Matthew Lorenzo; three sisters: Rosemary Brendel, Eileen Andres, and Nancy Lecker of Saint Marys; and by two nephews: Billy and Gary Andres.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at noon on Wednesday, April 25 at Queen of the World Church with Rev. Jeffery Noble, officiating. Visitation will be on Tuesday, April 24 from 5 to 8 PM at Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home in Saint Marys. Memorial donations, if desired, may be made to The Salvation Army, P.O. Box 605, Ridgway, PA 15853 or Alzheimer’s Association, 1128 State Street, Suite 301, Erie, PA 16501.