Stella A. Veliky

Stella A. Veliky, 99, of Philipsburg, died Friday, January 21, 2022, at Windy Hill Village, PSL, Philipsburg.

Stella was born on November 20, 1922, in Staten Island, New York, a daughter of the late John and Anna (Niedziela) Skorupski.

She was married on September 17, 1949, at the Church of the Holy Name, East Orange, New Jersey, to Joseph J. Veliky, who preceded her in death on April 25, 1994.

Stella was a member of SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church; and she also attended the New Life Center, both of Philipsburg.

Stella was a very accomplished singer. Early in her career, she performed under the stage name, “Roseanne Shelton” at a venue known as the “Solar Club” in Irvington, New Jersey. She also performed at the USO in New York City. Later in her career, she was a member of the State College Choral Society throughout the 1980’s and 1990’s. She was also a longtime member of the Valley Voices in Philipsburg.

Stella was also active in her community. She volunteered for numerous years as a Cub Scout Pack Leader, for Pack 24 in East Orange, when Joe and she were raising their family in New Jersey. She was recognized by the Boy Scouts for her dedication to her local Cub Scout Pack. She was the first woman to sit on the Orange Mountain Council as well.

She was employed as a gun inspector for the Unique Company, as well as working for the Star Ledger Newspaper in New Jersey.

After Stella and her family moved to the Philipsburg area, she assisted her husband with operating the former Veliky Apartments.

Stella was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Joe; one infant daughter, Lisa Ann; and one sister, Beatrice “Bebe” Avery.

She is survived by three sons: Joseph J. Veliky, III, of State College, Richard J. Veliky and his wife, Bonnie, of West Decatur and Robert J. Veliky and his companion, Barb Hubler, of Philipsburg; three grandchildren: Estelle E. Bowman and her husband, William (III), of Osceola Mills and Rachael Veliky and Jonathan Veliky, both of Philipsburg; six great-grandchildren: William and Parker Bowman, Jordyn and Charlotte Mantz and Melody and Ryan Tatters; and numerous other extended family members.

She was very proud of two particular accomplishments in her life; one, that she was able to take Karate lessons when she was in her seventies; and secondly, she taught her granddaughter, Estelle to play the piano.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, January 27, 2022, at 1:30 pm, at the Beezer-Heath Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 719 E. Spruce St., Philipsburg, with Rev. Michael Pleva, officiating.

Visitation will be on Thursday, January 27, 2022, from 11:30am until the time of the service at the funeral home.

Interment will be in Philipsburg Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in Stella’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 / donors@stjude.org or to her granddaughter, Estelle Bowman, 94 ½ Lingle St., Osceola Mills, Pa 16666.

Family and friends may sign the online guestbook and share memories at www.beezerheathfh.com.