Stella Catharine Hollis

Stella Catharine Hollis passed away, surrounded by family and friends, in Las Vegas, Nevada, on February 03, 2024; she was 70 years old. She is survived by her husband, Keith Allan Hollis; three children, Tracie Ann Santos (Juan), Teri Jeanette Steuart (Alexander), and Allan Gregory Hollis; and her grandchildren, Tracie’s sons, Tristen, DeAndre, and Alexander Wheaton.

Stella was born on November 09, 1953, in Los Angeles, California, to Elsie Moreno and Peter Arellano. She was raised in Tulare, California, with the Ruiz Family and received a Catholic upbringing surrounded by love. In her teens, Stella moved back to Los Angeles and graduated from Eagle Rock High School in 1971. She later attended Occidental College.

In 1985, Stella (Ruiz) Hollis married Keith Hollis, and their journey as husband and wife began in Los Angeles, California. In 1987, the family moved to Moreno Valley, California, where they raised their children through adulthood. She also found joy in welcoming extended family and friends into their home.

She was dedicated to being a part of her children's and grandchildren’s activities and lives. She was a team mom for their sports teams, a class mom for their classes, and assisted at marching band and color guard competitions. Stella helped create a Girl Scout Troop in her neighborhood for Teri and served as a Troop Leader for several years. She was a proud grandmother and delighted in watching her three grandsons, Tristen, DeAndre, and Alexander, grow to become wonderful young men. She attended every game, concert, graduation, and award ceremony and could always be heard cheering them on.

Professionally, Stella retired from a successful career with the Moreno Valley Unified School District as a Special Education Instructional Assistant at Valley View High School. It was the perfect profession for Stella, given her enormous love and compassion for children. She worked in afterschool programs with the City of Moreno Valley Parks and Recreation Dept. She had a successful career as a manager with Savon’s/Osco in Los Angeles, prior to moving to Moreno Valley.

Service to her community was important to Stella. She served as an officer for the Valley View High School Football Boosters and Crimson Regiment Band Boosters, as well as chaperoned many Grad Night field trips to Disneyland. She served as a Moreno Valley Police Department Neighborhood Watch Secretary and earned the nickname “Captain Stella” from her Vista Famoso Drive neighbors.

Stella loved to travel. She enjoyed family vacations with Keith and the kids, as well as many motorcycle ride vacations with their motorcycle club friends. They took several cruises and trips during those years. Upon retirement, Stella and Keith moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2012 to be near their kids and grandkids. That’s when their “real” world travel adventures began. They traveled to Mexico, London, Egypt, Spain, Italy, Jamaica, the Caribbean Islands, Hawaii islands, and many other far-off places.

During retirement, Stella remained very active in the community and volunteered her time with several charitable organizations, such as The American Cancer Society and Ronald McDonald House Red Shoe Society. She also served as a Nevada Energy volunteer at Opportunity Village and other holiday events.

If you knew Stella, she loved to play slot machines and had unbelievable luck. Especially with her “Buffaloooooo”. She enjoyed playing bingo and cards with her Legacy friends and formed many close bonds with them over the past two years. She delighted in preparing and eating Mexican food, especially Menudo with lots of Tabasco sauce.

Stella was a beloved mother, daughter, grandmother, sister, wife, and friend. Above all, Stella touched many lives, and her sassiness and infectious smile will be genuinely missed by all who knew her. She is also survived by her mother, stepfather, brother, numerous other family members, and friends.