Stella Clara Abbey
September 27, 1925 – June 24, 2016
Stella Clara Abbey entered the world on September 27, 1925 in Wakaw, Saskatchewan. Her parents were Eugene and Clara Bakony and she had four brothers who affectionately called her “Tuffy.” She passed away on June 24, 2016 in Tsawwassen, BC. She will be deeply missed by her fourth surviving brother Chuck Bakony, three children Carla Healy, Patrick Capozzi and Kevin Capozzi, six grandchildren and five great grandchildren, their spouses, and nieces and nephews.
Stella lived life to the fullest, transcending many great global changes. From being ‘Rosie the Riveter’ for Boeing in Vancouver during WWII to first husband Joseph’s ‘co-pilot’ as they flew all around North America for many decades, to living in Peru with her second husband Ev and traveling the world, Stella had a wonderful life and will be lovingly remembered by her family and friends.
Always with a big smile and lots of wit, Stella not only raised her three children, but was very engaged in the lives of her grandchildren and her brother’s children. Water and snow skiing were always part of her life, as was her number one sport, tennis which she enjoyed for over five decades. One particularly warm winter in Kelowna in the 60’s she was thrilled to be able to play tennis Christmas Day on the clay courts at the golf club.
In the early 1930s the Bakony family moved to Vancouver where Stella attended Kitsilano High School and received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of British Columbia. In September 1948 she married Joseph Capozzi and moved to Kelowna and raised her three children in her home on the Okanagan Lake. In 1975 she moved to Lima, Peru with Everett Abbey who she subsequently married. During this time she and Ev traveled extensively. In 1981 they moved to Point Roberts, Washington and her home became a family gathering place. Stella loved to walk and knew all the trails in Point Roberts. In 2010 Stella reconnected with an old family friend from Kelowna and thus began a very happy final chapter of her life with Peter Barclay. A celebration of the life of Stella Abbey will be held Sunday, July 10, 2-3 pm at the Benediction Lutheran Church, 5575 6th Avenue, Tsawwassen, BC followed by a reception at the Cammidge House, 498 Boundary Bay Road, Tsawassassen, BC. To RSVP and see more pictures please go to https://stellaabbey.splashthat.com/