Victoria Ann Stanek

Victoria Ann "Vicky" Stanek, 89, passed away Wednesday, July 7, 2021 at her home in Altoona. Vicky’s life was one of quiet service to her family. Her gentle leadership will continue to inspire her five children, 15 grandchildren, and several great-grandchildren. 

She was born May 16, 1932 in St. Benedict, the daughter of Stephen and Grace Marana. She lived in St. Benedict until 1976, when she and her late husband, Leo, moved to a new home on Nicktown Hill. Vicky’s selfless manner made that home the gathering place for a large extended family and friends, and the Sunday dinner table was always overflowing with food and with people. Any of her grandchildren will tell you: she made the best spaghetti in the world. 

Vicky’s poem “Spring Wheat” was published in a national high school journal in 1950. She played clarinet in the Carrolltown High School Band, and sang alto in the St. Stanislaus Kostka church choir from 1952 until the church closed in 1992. She loved to sing, she loved to play Scrabble, and she loved watching the Pittsburgh Pirates on TV. 

Above all, she loved her children and grandchildren, and that love was expressed in a door that was always open, in a stove that was always ready, and in the conversations that revolved around her table.  

Vicky was preceded in death by her husband, Leo; and her sisters: Katie Trovato, Josephine Morealli and Mary Horn, all of St. Benedict and Lena Ferri of Bolivar; and by her brothers: Stephen, Simon and Frank Marana. 

Surviving are five children: John “Jack” and wife Jan of Patton, Diane Hake and husband Galen of Dallastown, Lee and wife Holly of Hastings, Gerry of Greensboro, N.C. and Judy Ickes and husband Dan of Altoona; and a sister, Bernice Mondi of Barnesboro. 

Friends will be received from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, July 11, 2021; and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 12, 2021, at Barrett Funeral Home, 822 Philadelphia Ave., Northern Cambria. 

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m Monday, July 12, 2021, at Prince of Peace Church with Father Ronald V. Osinski officiating. Committal will be held at St. Stanislaus Kostka Cemetery. 

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