Stella Gorback

Stella Gorback, a resident of Riverside, Ca for 61 years, passed away on 10/23/2016 at the age of 87 at home with her family by her side. Stella was born 9/30/29 in New York Mills, New York to her parents, Stanley and Josephine Kaczmarska Chrzan. Stella had fond memories of growing up on Garden Street in New York Mills. During her childhood she was known by various names, “Stanisława”, “Stás”, “Stella” and “Sunshine”. She attended Saint Mary’s Grade School and graduated from New York Mills High School in 6/23/47. She graduated as a dental assistant from Manhattan Dental Assistant’s School in New York City on 10/31/47. She was united in marriage to Frances “Frank” Gorback on October 24, 1953 at St. Mary’s Church in New York Mills, New York. Soon after they were married, they moved to Salinas, Kansas, where Frank was stationed in the Air Force for 9 months and then they moved west to Riverside, California to “visit” Frank’s sister Vickie and in Riverside they remained. Stella and Frank were blessed with a loving marriage of 56 years. Frank passed away on 2/08/2010.

While living in Riverside, Stella has been an active parish member of St. Catherine of Alexandria Catholic Church, participating in the choir during her earlier years and as a member of the rosary group and grief group more recently. She enjoyed working the parish fiestas with her husband; the pretzel booth was their favorite.

Stella enjoyed her many years of work as a receptionist for the orthodontic office of Dr. Moore and Dr. Dutro. Following that career, she was an instructional assistant and a library aide at St. Catherine of Alexandria School in Riverside. She loved working with both the students and the staff. Stella enjoyed being with people and helping people. After she moved out of her long time home in Riverside and became a resident of “Magnolia Grand Senior Apartments”, she quickly became involved in this new community by being on the “Residence Council” and the “Welcoming Committee”. She has been blessed with many friends through her lifetime.

Another important part of Stella’s life was her involvement with Beta Sigma Phi; an international philanthropic sorority, although primarily a social and cultural organization, it incorporates service as part of its activities. She has been part of the Laureate Iota Chi Chapter. Through this organization, Stella has many women she calls “sisters” who are very dear friends and close to her heart.

Besides all this, Stella has also been known as a wonderful mother and mother-in-law and loving “Babci” (Polish for grandmother) to her grandchildren. She has been there to support us during the difficult times and to rejoice with us during times of celebration, especially holiday! Stella was also known as “Cioci”, “Peachy Babci” and recently she was loving nick-named “Speedy Stella” by her grandchildren. Stella has also been blessed with the name of “friend” by many of the dear people that have been part of her life.

Stella is survived by her daughter, Nadzia Gorback Lopez (Michael) and their children Joseph, Monique, Matthew and Jacob Lopez and daughter, Alicia Gorback Pearce (Howard) and their children; her sister and brother-in-law, Frania and Robert Zastawny, Gilbert, Arizona and their family, an aunt, Helen Chrzan, and many cousins, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two of her sisters, Gloria Chrzan Pawlak and Nancy Chrzan Travis.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation in Stella's name to:

St.Catherine of Alexandria Catholic School ATTN: Diana Nelson

7005 Brockton Ave Riverside, California 92506