Stella Lucille Woody Bianco

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother Stella Lucille Woody Bianco passed away Sept. 23, 2009,  in Sandpoint, Idaho, of complications related to leukemia.

She was born Sept. 13, 1925, in Tarrant County, Texas.  Stella grew up in Long Beach, California.

A patriotic person, Stella did what she could for the World War II effort. When peace returned, she married John Victor Bianco in 1948. An adored son, Robert Woody, was born in 1949. Her cherished daughter, Melinda Lucille, followed in 1952.

Stella Bianco had a solid work ethic and a love for learning. She got her master’s degree in education from LaVerne College while raising two children, an unusual path at the time.

Stella had a joie de vivre that showed in what she did. She was an accomplished ballroom dancer and attended dinner dances with John and friends in her later years.

Stella made it a point to fill her home with roses, especially Double Delights. She always kept her cookie jar stocked and was a very big fan of desserts. Stella liked fly-fishing with her family in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California, where they hauled their trailer every summer for more than 50 years.

Stella worked as a primary school teacher in Upland, California for thirty-six years, primarily teaching second grade. Her students and children of students often stopped her while she was out, expressing their appreciation. Her love for children was genuine. Year after year, her care for each class was evident. She introduced classes to animals and art with projects as diverse as raising silkworms and doing ceramics projects. She was assisted by “Miss Melinda” for many years, who shared her Mother’s devotion. Stella loved music, especially musicals, and she transferred this love to her students by playing the classroom piano (very well) for daily sing-alongs. She generously gave to Shriner’s Hospitals for Children and attended Ladies of the Nile meetings for many years.

An especially tolerant and giving Grandmother, her generosity and patience with her own grandchildren and great grandchildren is something they hold dear and hope to pass on.

Stella was preceded in death by her parents and her older brother Harry and is survived by her brother Sam. Stella is also survived by her husband of 61 years, John Victor Bianco, her son Robert (Robin) and her daughter Melinda. She leaves behind two granddaughters, Brooke Stebbins (Josh) and Meyla Bianco Johnston (Jared). She will also be missed by great grandsons Owen and Lucas Stebbins.