Stella Johnson

Stella (Chipokas) Johnson passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her children on April 7, 2020. She was 84. Stella was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 54 years, Homer James Johnson. She is survived by her children, James (Michele) Johnson and Dr. Kristina Johnson. She was godmother to Anthony Gust Johnson; aunt to Tammy Costley and Terry (Michael) Stack; was cherished by many nieces and nephews, and adored by Michael, Jack, Ryan, Bobby and Christopher O'Toole. Stella was born in Gary, Indiana on January 29, 1936, to James and Augustina Chipokas. She married her high school sweetheart, Homer, in 1962. A faithful member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church and the Ladies Philoptochos Society, Stella loved volunteering, giving her time and many talents to the social, philanthropic and community activities of her parish. She was a dedicated volunteer at the church's original Greek food festival and all those that followed. Stella proudly worked for a decade as the church secretary at Holy Trinity Church and so enjoyed the countless friends she made during her 22 years at Marshall's Department Store, where she retired in 2016 to care for her late husband. Stella will be remembered for the magic she selflessly weaved into the hearts of others. From her beautifully crocheted afghans and deliciously-made family dinners, to the sweet smell that always lingered on her smiling cheeks and her uncanny ability to never forget someone's birthday, Stella epitomized the notion that we should all leave this world better than we found it. She did. Stella was preceded in death by her parents, Augustina and James Chipokas; her stepfather, George Makris; and her sister, Julie Costley. Our family wishes to warmly thank Dr. Sam Buffer and his nurse Cheryl Saffa for their relentless kindness and compassion and love of our mother. Friends will be joyfully received on April 10, 2020 from 1 pm-6 pm at Simons Funeral Home, 7720 Perry Highway Pittsburgh, Pa. 15237. www.simonsfuneralhome.com. In order to remain within the rules of Coronavirus guidelines and avoid social gatherings in groups of more than 10 people, friends and family are asked to remain in their cars as they wait in line to visit with the family. Please pull under the portico, exit your car one at a time and enter the building. After greeting the family please exit the building and allow the next family to pay their respects. A private funeral to celebrate Stella's beautiful life: Saturday April 11, 11:30 am, Saint George Greek Orthodox Chapel. Available for public participation online only at HolyTrinityPgh.org/live. Followed by interment at Holy Trinity Cemetery. The family requests memorial contributions to honor Stella be made to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Cemetery Fund or Holy Trinity Philoptochos, 985 Providence Blvd.

Stella Johnson

January 29, 1936 - April 7, 2020