Roxbury Township, Mrs. Stella A “Gigi” DeStefano, 93, died on February 24, 2024 at the Bristol Glen Center in Newton. She was born in Brooklyn and lived in Netcong before moving to Succasunna 67 years ago. She graduated from Netcong High School at the age of 16, and later earned her Teaching Degree from College of St. Elizabeth’s in Convent Station at the age of 20. She was a beloved teacher in the Roxbury Township School System for 38 years and was the first recipient of the N J Governor’s Teacher Award, founding member of the Roxbury Women’s Club, and founding member of St. Therese R C Church in Succasunna. She loved hosting and shopping and had a keen sense of style and fashion. Her favorite colors were jewel tones. Visitors can feel free to wear color.

She was predeceased by her husband Nicholas J DeStefano in 2016, her sister Frances Tardive and her brother Joseph Ferrucci. She is survived by her children; Mary Frances DeStefano of San Francisco, CA, Catherine Ann DeStefano (and Ray) Keough of Sparta, Phyllis (and Bill) Tonnesen of Branchville, and Philip (and Christine) DeStefano also of Branchville. She also leaves her 7 grandchildren; Lauren, Nicholas, Katie, Sara, Taylor, Giancarlo, and Philip, and 9 great grandchildren; Astrid, Liesl, Elsa, Tristan, Hawkon, Aryanna, Noah, Olive, and Hugo. She also leaves many nieces and nephews. Grandchildren were her joy. You could be sure to find her at the baseball game or at the football field or basketball court.

Friends may visit at the Davis & Hepplewhite Funeral Home, 973-584-7264 (davishepplewhitefh.com), on Wednesday, February 28th, from 3 – 5 & 7 – 9  pm. The Funeral Liturgy will be held on Thursday, February 29^th at 10 am, at St. Therese R C Church in Succasunna, followed by the internment at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover.