Szakelyhidi

Mary “Stella” Szakelyhidi, of Zelienople, passed away Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, after more than 98 years of a life focused on others.

She was the wife of Andy Szakelyhidi, to whom she had been married for 73 years. She is survived by her three children and their spouses, Jeffrey and Susan Szakelyhidi, of Ashtabula, Ohio; Andrea and Steven Jensen, of Delavan, Wis.; and Betty-jean and Edward Bardella, of Jamestown, Pa.

Stella was born on March 21, 1927, in Monaca, Pa. She was one of five children born to Italian immigrants, Bruno and Palma Larizza. After graduating from Monaca High School, she received her degree in cosmetology. She opened a beauty shop with her sister, Bernice, shortly thereafter.

Stella met Andy at a dance, an activity that they enjoyed far into their married life. They built their home in Harmony, where they raised their family and lived for 65 plus years. She worked for many years as a teacher’s aide at Connoquenessing Elementary School. She also served many women in the area as a beautician, setting up her practice in her home, as well as serving as the beautician in a local nursing home.

Stella was a member of St. Gregory Parish and joined others from the parish on mission trips. She and Andy continued dancing late into their years, especially line-dancing at the senior center. Though she did not have the opportunity to attend college, she and Andy saw all three of their children graduate from college and serve their communities in various professions. She and Andy moved to Passavant Community in Zelienople in 2017.

Stella is also survived by her grandchildren, Amy, Daren, Jessica, Bethany, Sarah, Allison and Eddie; and her great-grandchildren, Teagen, Blake, Trey, Turner, Zeke, Amelia, Vera, Savannah, Owen, Audrey, Sebastian, Andrew Basil, and Jonah.

She was preceded in death by her sisters and brothers, August (Katherine) Larizza, Arthur Larizza, Theresa (Joseph) Buccione and Bernice (Frank) Sego.

SZAKELYHIDI — A Mass of Christian burial for Mary “Stella” Szakelyhidi, who died Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17, at Divine Grace Parish, St. Gregory Church, 2 W. Beaver St., Zelienople, with Father Jim Wehner officiating.

A celebration of life service will be held in the spring of 2026.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made in her memory to: The Benevolent Fund for Passavant Community at Lutheran Senior Life Foundation, 300 W. Beaver St., Zelienople, PA 16063, or online at www.lutheranseniorlife.org.

Arrangements have been entrusted to BOYLAN FUNERAL HOME, 324 E. Grandview Ave., Zelienople.

Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.boylanfuneralservices.com.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.