Stella E. Ropke, 97, of Narrowsburg, NY passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 24, 2021 at Wayne Woodlands Manor in Waymart, PA. She was preceded in death by her husband, Christian F. Ropke (Chris), on December 3, 2013. The couple married on December 27, 1947, enjoying 65 years of marriage and a love story for the ages.

Born on April 14, 1924 at her family home in Indian Orchard, she was the daughter of the late Fred and Cora Schwartz. An active member of the Narrowsburg community, Stella volunteered at the Tusten Library and served on the board of elections. For many years, she also served as treasurer of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church where she was a faithful member. A pioneer for working women at the time, and especially skilled in math, she worked as a bank teller at the local bank in Narrowsburg, reaching the status of Branch Manager before retiring in 1986.

A loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Stella loved to bake and try new recipes; she even graded each one so her family would know which were “excellent” and which were “not so good,” now heartwarming notes to keep her close in heart and home. In her younger years, she and Chris loved to travel and enjoyed many cruises and bus trips exploring the world. Still, her most treasured times were those spent with her family and enjoying the simple things in life, like gardening, crocheting and playing card games (she won most of the time). Grandma’s house, as it is still known to so many, was and will always remain the place to be. She entertained the Irish Hill kids on many summer days and truly enjoyed life’s precious moments with all those around her, who equally admired and loved her beyond measure.

Surviving are her sons, Scott Ropke, and wife, Pam, of Narrowsburg, NY and Tom Ropke and wife, Carol, of Floral Park, Long Island; her grandchildren: Scott Ropke Jr. and wife, Candy; Jackie Engvaldsen and husband, Adam; Michael Ropke and wife, Emma; and Christine Ropke; great-grandchildren Brandon and Lance Ropke and Alex and Ashlyn Engvaldsen. She was also loved deeply by many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her and Chris’ daughter, Claudia Jean, brother Floyd Schwartz and sisters Mildred Cole and Dorothy Smith.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, June 29 at Hessling Funeral Home, Inc., 428 Main St. Honesdale, PA at 10 a.m. Interment followed in Indian Orchard Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the following: Western Sullivan Public Library - Tusten-Cochecton Branch at P.O. Box 129, Narrowsburg, NY 12764; Narrowsburg Volunteer Fire Department at 203 Bridge St., Narrowsburg, NY 12764; Tusten Volunteer Ambulance Service at P.O. Box 34, Narrowsburg, NY 12764; St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church at 31 Erie Ave., Narrowsburg, NY 12764.