  Stella Deutsch   April 5 1910  -  December  8, 2013       words 817
  Reflections.   
      We at (LSH) Lester Senior, Housing, Stella's friends, neighbors and acquaintances, sadly acknowledge her passing, and extend our sympathies to her devoted son David and Ellen, their families, also to the family of her dear - late – daughter, and her delightful machatenesteh   Shirley Deutsch. To say that we are in awe of Stella's well lived, productive 103 years is an understatement. Stella (Latin) “a star.” was indeed our star!
1910 was an auspicious year, with the first United States postal stamp 2? per oz., in circulation in time to mail Stella's birth announcements from Q Street in Brooklyn to relatives far and near. President William Howard Taft and first Lady Helen occupied the White House. The Stanley Steamer automobile rumbled along the streets of Brooklyn, prompting the headline:  “Speeds make automobile safety an issue.”  They were singing:  “Put Your Arms Around Me Honey,” and the average life expectancy for a woman was 51.8 years. 
Stella enjoyed school, on her way home t o Q Street, she would stop at the Corner Store on Dumont Street -- owned by Milton Strongin's father -- purchase her favorite penny candy, a lollipop or strip of paper with tiny colored candies. Stella continued on to Hunter College where she graduated with a Teaching degree and taught in the Brooklyn School system for 25 years. From knowing Stella these past dozen years I can only imagine that Stella imbued her students with such a love of learning that not one escaped her classroom without a wealth of knowledge, along with respect, self-confidence, many of her magical tunes and able to recite the Bill of Rights. Stella had a phenomenal memory, one morning as we stood in the rain I quoted this first line: 
 The quality of mercy is not strain'd,      ---    Stella completed - word perfect - the stanza.-
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest:
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.
Later, while taking adult classes at Brooklyn College, Stella became acquainted with Florence Lamb who grew up on J Street Brooklyn. Was it bashert that decades later she would meet up again with Florence and Milton here at LSH (Lester Senior Community)?
Dolly writes, “Knowing Stella was a privilege. Working with her throughout the years on “productions“(her musical talents were beyond description) the creation of her famous song sheets and books was pure joy. In addition having her as a Sounding Board/Mentor with her age-wise yet modern approach to so many things on both an organizational and personal level was an amazing experience an extraordinary honor and inspiration – to be remembered for ever.”
Blessed with an astonishing gift, Stella sat at the piano and “Play by ear,” without the aid of music sheets, books, notes etc.   She'd listen to the first bars of an unfamiliar song and away she would go.  The listing on the monthly Calendar, “Sing-A–Long with Stella,” became a popular item, sometimes Stella would resort to her teacherly voice saying, “Come along, I want to hear more of you singing!” Reflecting on the 10th anniversary at LSH, Stella wrote “I gave my piano to my great granddaughter, 12 years ago and I missed it! I have been playing “Sing Alongs” twice a month since I came, I love it, and so does my audience.” Stella. 
The evening meal at Lester marks a social component of our daily life. It's not only a time to savor the soup and compare their grandmother's choice chopped liver, it's an opportunity to tell the latest news, kibitz, and yes kvetch a little. Stella's dining companions: Edythe, Estelle, Harriet L, Dorothy, and Phyllis R. will miss her wit and wisdom peppered with a few anecdotes. Harriet recounts, “Overhearing a remark Stella would say, ‘that reminds me of a joke. Why did the children eat their homework? --- Because the teacher said, it's a piece of cake.'”  
 Pollyann tells, ���Whenever Stella returned from hospital or Rehab at Daughters of Israel, she'd say, ‘I'm so thankful to be home and to enjoy some good chicken soup with matzoh balls, blintzes and stuffed cabbage again.' ” 
Stella, often accompanied by dear Shirley, delighted in attending family Simchas: graduations, engagements, weddings of grandchildren. She kvelled over the added bonus of the birth of red-headed great-granddaughter Jeanie Rose, proudly sharing each new picture, while providing an update of the baby's progress. 
Recording an important event in her life for our “In Celebration of Aging, “Stella wrote, I worked hard for Hadassah for 25 years including serving as Editor of the paper “Kol Kadimah”, and off and on as President. I was rewarded by becoming “Woman of the Year.” Stella Deutsch. 
As we join with Stella's family to say our fond farewells to this truly remarkable, talented lady, we know that her star-studded qualities will remain in our hearts and memories for eternity.  
                                                                              Written by E. Anne Lipman LSH resident

Stella Was a bright light in this dark world shining ever so brightly and bringing light to everyone she came in contact with .I am blessed to have the privilege of knowing and caring for her in her final days.

Bernheim-Apter-Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel

Stella Deutsch

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Bernheim-Apter-Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel

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