Our Beloved Mother, Michelina Margaret Stakenas (known as Marge to all) died at age 99 on Jan 19th 2024. How can you summarize a century of life into a few paragraphs? I once heard the saying "Everyone dies but not everyone lives". She lived. Mom strived for and accomplished much more. She died always looking for another challenge and another chance to make a difference.

Born and raised in Bristol Boro, Pa. to a hard-working Italian family. She was the middle child of 5 children of Vincenzo and Cristina Galizia. Times were economically difficult, but it did not deter her sense and sensibility as her family held fast and strong together. Her sisters and her were inseparable until the day each passed away. She would recollect how as a young woman she would assist her father delivering ice blocks, how she worked as a saleswoman in a posh department store in downtown Philly (always a snazzy hat to wear), how she worked riveting bolts during the war or taught dance at Arthur Murray's, each sibling doing their best to help the family.

Mom also knew the importance of educating oneself, had a love of literature and always strived for excellence. Once remarking that she received the highest score in high school for French only to have the award given to another male student whose grades were lower but had a higher social family status. This steered a passion for righting the injustices in politics. Later in life she was to become the first councilwoman and the first woman mayor of Bristol Boro. Her fiery spirit on the council floor became well documented in the Bucks County Courier Times.

She had a personality that drew you in and you weren't afraid to say your opinion. Believing in vibrant debate without condemnation (even though her opinion was always right). She fell in love and married a gentle, quiet man from Chicago, Stanley Stakenas whom she met at the St. Ann's Club. They had 3 children Stanley, James and Dymphna. She was a great mom, nurturing and devoted, funny and brass at times, we loved it. While our father was working as a draftsman, she opened a flower shop where me and my brothers helped out. Later, she also opened a travel agency, making their love of cultures and travel easily accessible.

As us children married and had families of their own, she continued encouragement, love and support. I remember her sitting at the kitchen table when my son Cameron was 10 and they were drinking coffee just talking about everything. How proud and exasperated she was of my son Chris (who received her fierce convictions). And it did not stop with that generation or my brothers' or my family. All of her sisters' children were very close to her as well. Each I hope gained a little inspiration from her.

Her later life was still dynamic. In her 80's, she frequently went into NY with her friend by train for the opera season, always taking the balcony seats. Her adoration of Opera pushed her to start a website called Operafiles to educate about composers, operas and lyricists. Eventually, she had to move to Florida in her mid 90's where she took it as a blessing. It enabled her to live with and enjoy her great grandchildren Olivia and Damian and experience "life and laughter" again daily. She believed that God and they gave her strength.... One of last words of wisdom was "Pray". So yes, it was a life well lived, and one worth remembering.

Michelina has joined her husband, son Stan and daughter-in-law Patricia in heaven. She is survived by her children, James and wife Judy, Dymphna and husband Noel, her 7 grandchildren, great grandchildren, a great great grandchild, nieces and nephews and their children. What a wonderful legacy.

A memorial service will be held for Michelina at Kirk & Nice Suburban Chapel on Saturday, March 2, 2024 at noon.

Friends and family may gather from 11 AM until services to share fond memories.

Interment will be held privately at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Michelina's name may be made to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. ( stjude.org )