Stella "Sis" M. (Graczyk) Thomas (Tomassi)
Stella “Sis” M. (Graczyk) Thomas (Tomassi), 83, of Erie, Pa. passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 19, 2020. Sis was born August 31, 1937 in Erie, Pa., the fourth daughter of the late Joseph and Stella (Kosko) Graczyk.
Sis grew up on the family farm on Wattsburg Rd. in Greene Township, together with her loving parents and six sisters. Sis was a graduate of Academy High School in Erie, Pa. During her younger years, Sis worked as a fashion model and modeled locally for Hazel Daily-Yeager, an exclusive women’s dress shop. Sis also modeled for Lerner’s and on television for WSEE. During this time, Sis was honored to become “Miss Erie Baseball” for the Erie Sailors baseball team, and she was also an entrant in the “Miss Erie Pageant”. In the mid 1950’s, Sis was awarded the title “Miss Polytron” and was presented in a parade in downtown Erie. Sis was also selected as “Beauty of the Day” by the Erie-Times News and was featured in the newspaper. Sis went on to work at the Office Lounge, and the Lawrence Hotel, formerly located in downtown Erie.
Sis met and married the love of her life, the late Carmen A. Thomas (Tomassi), with whom she celebrated 25 years of marriage. Together they raised a beautiful, loving, and devoted family of seven children. Carmen preceded Sis in death on October 19, 1984.
Sis returned to work part-time, as a cross-guard for the Erie School District. This was truly rewarding for Sis, as the students and daily commuters looked forward to seeing her regularly. Sis was also employed by the Bel-Aire Hotel, The Sisters of Saint Joseph, Saint Paul Rectory, and Top’s Market.
Sis was a member of Saint Stephen and Saint Paul Catholic churches. Sis enjoyed crossword puzzles, flower and vegetable gardening, and she was a fantastic cook and homemaker. As Carmen and Sis’ children were growing up, it was their front porch where all the neighborhood children would gather. Sis’ greatest joy was her family, who loved her dearly. Tender loving, fun-filled memories of casual, family get-togethers, holiday gatherings, and traditional, delicious, homemade, spaghetti and meatball Sunday dinners, are deeply cherished. Sis was a beautiful person inside and out. To know Sis, was to love her. She was a wonderful wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, and friend. Sis will always be remembered for her kind and generous heart.
In addition to her parents and beloved husband, Sis was preceded in death by her brother in infancy, Miriam Graczyk, her sister, Pati Hassett, her granddaughter, Jamie Lee Koenig, and her son-in-law, Jeffrey Koenig. Sis was also preceded by her four brothers-in-law: Ange Lombardozzi, Albert Bilotti, Fred Walker, and Pete Hassett.
Sis is survived by her seven loving children: Lisa (Ryan) Coletta of Summit Township, Pa., Rhea (Vinnie) Barzano, Carmel Koenig all of Estero, Fl., Eugene (Tina) Thomas, Daniel Tomassi all of Erie, Pa., Margaret (Eric) Hardner of Millcreek Township, Pa., and Joseph (Sherri) Thomas of East Springfield, Pa. Sis is survived by her loving companion with whom she shared more than thirty wonderful years with, James “Jim” E. Filson of Erie, Pa. Sis is also survived by her siblings: Olga Lombardozzi, Leona Bilotti, Connie Walker, Helene (David) Jerge, and Marlene (Fred) Kerecman. Sis is further survived by eleven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
The Thomas (Tomassi) family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Walnut Creek Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center for the outstanding care, compassion, and love they have shown our precious Sis, during the time of her residency.
Due to the Covid 19 pandemic, funeral services will be private for the family with a funeral Mass held at Saint Paul Church.