Mary Stella (Papa) Savanick was born on January 25, 1932 in Baltimore Maryland to Rose Gelmini Papa and Anthony Papa. After attending Eastern high School in Baltimore she worked for General Motors, Chevrolet Division in Baltimore. Stella (as everyone called her by her middle name) went to airline school in 1954 in Worcester Massachusetts. After, she worked for National Airlines in New York City at Washington National Airport and then to National Airlines and TWA in Baltimore. Working with the airlines, Stella loved to travel. She was employed for a time at Martin Company Travel Department and was instrumental in the transfer of many employees and their families to Orlando, Florida.

Stella married Patrick George Savanick on June 9, 1957 in Baltimore at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Baltimore in a double wedding with her sister Joan and Jim Hicks. At her sister's request, Stella allowed her sister to walk down the aisle with their father and she walked down with her godfather, even though Stella was the eldest of the two. All of the Bridesmaids and Groomsmen were in pastel rainbow colors. For several years, they had a stuffed dog on their bed which they named Pastel (Pat + Stel).

Stella and Patrick made their home at Chesley Avenue in Baltimore and attended St. Thomas More Catholic Church. In 1964, along came Michael Patrick, Stella and Pat's son and in 1965, along came their daughter, Maria Patrice. After being a stay at home mom in the younger years, Stella was employed at Wockenfuss Candies in Baltimore.

Patrick's job with National Airlines transferred him and in 1979 the family moved to Altamonte Springs Florida. At that time, they attended St. Mary Magdalen Church in Maitland Florida and soon after attended Annunciation Catholic Church when it was built closer to their home. Stella was employed with an insurance agency and with Morrow's Nut and Candy Store at the Altamonte Mall where she quickly became manager. She enjoyed the job and became very involved with the mall, serving on the Board of Directors for the Mall Merchant Association for many years.

Stella enjoyed traveling, dancing and getting together with family and friends. She was loving, kind, caring, giving and helpful to everyone.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the Alzheimer's Association. Please include a note "In Memory of Mary Stella Savanick" and mail to:
Alzheimer's Association
Central Processing
P. O. Box 96011
Washington, DC 20090-6011