Surrounded by loved ones, and with profound sadness, the family announces sweet Stella star’s death February 3, 2025, following complications of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS). Stella was the beloved and devoted Mom of Shauna Elise Sloan and her partner Jay Colosi, and playful Granny to their dog, Bert. Growing up with her six older siblings on Farmbrook Road, Scarborough, Stella was the adored baby of the family. Even in her sixties she was referred to as “the baby”…whether she liked it or not! She loved working with children as an Educational Assistant for the Durham Catholic District School Board, as well as spending her free time working for Estate Sales. After suffering a traumatic brain injury in 2017, Stella’s fashion of positivity and courage led her to become a peer mentor and fierce advocate for the Ontario Brain Injury Association. Her story, In An Instant, was published in November 2023 on Brain Injury Blog Toronto. Stella trusted that telling her story would bring hope and comfort to others. Throughout it all, she continued to smile, to be friendly, and to always be kind to others. She loved life and found joy in activities such as aquafit, swimming, meditation, yoga, writing, and being in nature. Stella’s greatest joy, however, was being Mom to her beautiful, talented, red-headed daughter, Shauna. The circle they share will never be broken.

Stella was predeceased by her beloved parents Rupert and Kathleen Elise Figueroa, and by her dearly loved infant daughter, Jessica Erin Sloan. We take comfort knowing that when Stella passed all three were there to greet her with love and open arms. Stella will forever be missed and adored by her siblings: Doris & Nick, Ann & Charlie, Bud (Frank) & Issi, Nancy & Richard, Kathleen & Neville, Lisa & Vern. She will always be remembered and loved by her many nieces and nephews, by her aunts, uncles, cousins, and by her numerous friends, particularly her best friend, Karen (nee Ross) Pilkington. Stella never grew tired of hearing friends and family joyfully greeting her with S-T-E-L-L-A!!! The family thanks the dedicated CCC team at Lakeridge Health, Bowmanville for treating Stella with the dignity and kindness she was so deserving of.

In lieu of flowers, it was her wish that donations be made to the Brain Injury Society of Toronto or to Bethesda House. Visitation and funeral will be held Thursday, February 6, 2025, from 11am-2pm at the Thornton Funeral Centre, 1200 Thornton Road North, Oshawa. It was Stella’s wish that her ashes rest there with her baby Jessica. As this is a celebration of life, Stella wanted to encourage all to wear bright colours in honour of her this day.

Sweet Stella, forever loved. Forever missed.