Stella was born on August 18, 1938 to George and Sarah McGillvray of Boston, Ma. She was the youngest of 8 siblings and is survived by her sister, Kathleen Smith of Georgetown.
Stella was a devoted wife to the late Harry Diffenderfer and together they became “Grandma and Grandpa” to their family.
Stella lived most of her life in Boston. She was a graduate of Boston University and worked at Houghton Mifflin Publishing Co. in Boston as a production manager. She then made a career change and became a successful Financial Advisor at Ameriprise. She loved to garden and was often seen mowing her lawn, blowing her leaves and making her spot in Hyannis as beautiful as possible.
Stella enjoyed life to the fullest! She devoted her life to her family, friends, neighbors and the community of Hyannis. She was full of wonderful memories past and present which she loved to share with anyone who would listen. Her incredible sense of humor, wit and charm made her easy to love. She was a person of faith, kindness and devotion.
She was often asked “where have you been all my life”, which is a true testament of the wonderful woman Stella was.
She will never be forgotten by her son, Michael Manny, of New York or her many nieces, nephews and extended family and friends from Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Arizona, Florida, Canada and Spain.
A Funeral Mass will be held Monday, December 7th, 11 am at St. Francis Xavier Church, Hyannis, MA followed by her burial at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in West Roxbury at 1:30.
Notes of comfort can be left and viewed on www.doanebealameshyannis.com
Stella was a beautiful soul.
