Home → Obituaries ( July 25, 2018 )
Albert was born in the Pennsylvania Borough of Susquehanna Depot, the son of the late Pasquale and Maria (Mastropietro) Stella.
He was pre-deceased by his brother, Louis of Endicott, NY, his brother, Mark Joseph of Susquehanna, PA, his sister, Virginia Znamirowski of Susquehanna, PA, and his brother, Angelo of Manassas, VA.
He is survived by several nephews and a niece.
Albert earned a degree in mathematics from Pennsylvania State University. Following college he served in the US Navy. His professional career was spent with the Flight Systems Division of Allied-Bendix. Albert was a writer and took pride in several works of fiction he authored. He had an entrepreneurial spirit and pursued many business interests. Albert was an at-large member of the Order of the Sons of Italy in America. Most of all, Albert enjoyed his family.
A private memorial service will be held in Susquehanna, PA, at the convenience of family.
From a Lewiston Tribune article from January 12, 1941, with the headline, Lewiston High Has Yell Queens For First Time:
"In a special assembly held Friday in the Lewiston High School auditorium, Patty Morse and Gloria Statterfield were elected the first yell queens in the history of the high school. They appeared at the Clarkston-Lewiston basketball game in Smith Hall Friday night.
The Misses Morse and Statterfield were selected from a group of 11 pairs of aspiring 'queens.' Tryouts were held in the assembly, and the student voted for their favorites during the next class hour."
After graduating in 1942, Gloria attended the University of Idaho. She worked part time in the School of Business Administration and had many fond memories of college days while living in Hays Hall. Majoring in economics, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree before going on to earn a Master of Science in business.
On March 1, 1945, Gloria married Darrel Biegert, her high school sweetheart. Darrel was an ensign in the US Navy, and after the ceremony the couple flew to Miami, where Darrel would attend an officers' training school. For the next several years, the couple lived at naval bases along the East Coast.
After being discharged, Darrel accepted a job. The couple settled in Port Washington, NY, and lived there from 1949 until 1955. Three children were born there: Pamela Dean, Robert Wilson and Kenneth Bruce. To be closer to Darrel's work place, the family moved to Glen Rock, NJ, and lived there for 30 years. Steven Bradley was born in 1958.
While the children were growing up, Gloria was very involved with organizations and committees dedicated to young people such as the Boy and Girl Scouts, YMCA and youth sports. She served on the town's recreation committee and was recognized for 25 years of service. She also served as president of the Glen Rock PTA.
During summer vacation the family often loaded up a station wagon and drove from New Jersey to the Lewiston area, stopping at national parks along the way. Camping and fishing in Idaho created lasting impressions, and family members have continued returning to the mountains and rivers in Idaho. After two weeks of outdoor adventure and visiting family, Darrel would have to fly back to his job, leaving Gloria to handle driving the station wagon back to New Jersey at the end of the summer. Cross-country driving was not Gloria's only driving feat. During wheat harvest, she drove truck for her stepfather, Wilson Archibald, on his farm near Uniontown.
Family came first for Gloria, but when she had a spare moment, she enjoyed playing bridge, reading and gardening. Eventually she had more time for gardening and became a master gardener. Using her skills she volunteered many hours working at the Glen Rock arboretum. Later, when she moved to Susquehanna, PA, she volunteered at Cutler Botanic Garden in Binghamton, NY. There didn't seem to be enough room during the winter when Gloria had to move all of her potted plants inside. The loving care that Gloria shared will be greatly missed by her family and friends. She will always be remembered.
Gloria was preceded in death by her children, Pamela and Ken.
She is survived by sons, Bob of Clarkston and Steve (Margaret) of Susquehanna; four grandchildren, Sarah, Ellen, Christine and Dan.