Stella B. Klara

Stella B. Klara of Jackson, NH, 97, passed peacefully in her sleep on Friday, September 11, 2020 at home.  She was the daughter of the late Wasyl and Sophie (Sulima) Bukata.  Born in Woonsocket, RI on April 5, 1923, Stella lived her early years in Blackstone, MA before moving  to Woonsocket with her husband, the late Jacob M. Klara, Sr., where she resided for most of her life.  Soon after her husband’s death in 1987, she moved to Slatersville, RI living at Colonial Village, a senior retirement community.  In 2007, Stella moved to New Hampshire to live with her daughter and son-in-law, Janice and Dan Andrews.

After attending Blackstone High School, Stella worked in the textile industry and the wholesale grocery and sundries distribution field primarily in the Woonsocket area.  She and her family were long time members of St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, also in Woonsocket.

Stella leaves her daughter, Janice (Dan) of Jackson and son Jacob Klara, Jr. (Vicki) of Lafayette, LA; granddaughters Caroline Falls (Eric) of Houston, TX and Catherine Klara of New Braunfels, TX; step granddaughters Lisa Doherty (Chuck) of Forestdale, RI and Linda Lovett (David) of Johnston, RI and step grandson David Andrews (Anne) of Saunderstown, RI.  Additionally, she leaves two great grandsons in Texas, nine step great grandchildren and four step great-great granddaughters in Rhode Island.  She also leaves a sister-in-law, Stacia Klara of Woonsocket and several nieces and nephews.

Stella was also predeceased by her siblings Mary Partridge of Bellingham, MA, Michael Bukata of Blackstone, Anna Gudz of Woonsocket and Steven Bukata of North Smithfield, RI.

In her later years Stella enjoyed playing cards with family and friends, watching the Red Sox on TV and playing with the family Maine Coon cats, Annie and Tessie, her beloved “kittens” which brought her joy and comfort.  She especially enjoyed visits from family, neighbors, friends and caregivers often making them laugh with her great wit and sense of humor.  In addition to being an amazing seamstress, she was a wonderful cook and leaves many favorite Polish cuisine recipes for the family to enjoy and pass on to future generations.

The family wishes to thank Visiting Nurse Home Care & Hospice of Carroll County and Western Maine, Bartlett Jackson Ambulance Service, Nicole Stanley, APRN, the Rev. Richard Belshaw and the Rev. Canon Daniel Weir of Christ Episcopal Church, North Conway and Charles Sutton, Sr. of Furber & White Funeral Home, North Conway, David Kubaska of Kubaska Funeral Home, Woonsocket  for their assistance, care and kindness during Stella’s final days.

Due to COVID 19 concerns, Stella’s final services will be private.  Those wishing to donate in honor of her memory can contribute to Bartlett Jackson Ambulance Service, PO Box 422, Glen, NH 03838 or Visiting Nurse Home Care & Hospice, PO Box 432, North Conway, NH 03860. Kubaskafuneralhome.com.

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