Stella Mietlinski

Stella (Stanislawa) Mietlinski died on December 18, 2018 in Chestertown MD, formerly of Lodz, Poland, Clementon, NJ, and Camden, NJ. She was the daughter of the late Josef and Zofia (Krawczyk) Walczak of Poland. When she was 16, at the outbreak of WWII, she was taken from her family and her homeland and placed into forced labor by the Nazis. She worked on farms and in factories and dug fortifications against the oncoming liberating armies approaching the Maas River. When the war ended, although emancipated by the Allies, her marriage to a Polish officer prevented their return to Poland which was occupied by the Soviet Union. As Europe recovered from the war, they were required to leave Germany, and in 1951, they were sponsored by St. Joseph's Parish in Camden, NJ, to enter the United States. Settling in Camden, she raised her family and worked in various industries. She formed new lifelong friendships with the Polish expats living in her community as well as many fellow workers. Stella attended night school to improve her English language skills and to prepare for citizenship. Although she missed her beloved Poland and family, she wholeheartedly embraced becoming a U.S. citizen. She later married Eugene Mietlinski, who was a loving stepdad and Pop-Pop to her daughters and grandsons. They moved to Clementon, NJ, where they were active in the St. Agnes Parish. She retired as a pre-school teacher from Kinder Care located in Marlton, NJ. In her later years, she moved to Chestertown to be with her family. Stella enjoyed gardening, was an accomplished baker and wonderful cook, and loved entertaining her many friends and family members. She loved life and adventure and traveled extensively. She was always "on the go!" Stella was the beloved wife of the late Eugene Mietlinski; loving mother to Barbara (Gerry) Waterson of Chestertown, MD, and Krystyna (Edward, deceased) Sanderson, in Voorhees, NJ; and sister to the late John Walczak. She was the cherished Mom Mom to grandsons, James (Rebecca Sawyer) Pierzynski and Christopher (Danielle) Pierzynski, and great-grandchildren, Hayley, Sophie, Benjamin, and Ava, all of whom she adored. Known to her family as Ciocia Basia, she is survived by many treasured nieces and nephews. In her final years, she had many devoted caregivers and friends at the Resorts at Chester River Manor where her warmhearted nature earned her the nickname of "Stella Bella." A memorial mass will be held on Saturday, January 5, 2019, at 10 a.m. at Our Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church, 303 Chesterfield Ave. Centreville, MD. A luncheon will be held at Annie's Restaurant in Grasonville, following the service. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a charity of your choice.

Stella Mietlinski

March 28, 1924 - December 18, 2018