Stella N. Contos

Contos (nee Olfanos), Stella, 92, of Brookfield, Wisconsin and Naples, Florida. Born August 23, 1930 and to eternal life on January 29, 2023 after a courageous battle with cancer. Beloved wife of 54 years and best friend of Nick Contos. Devoted and loving mother of Marianne (David) Foster, Michael, and Christopher (Ashok Bania). Much loved Yiayia to Nicholas, Michael and Sam Foster. Dear sister of Tina (Alex) Linardos. Preceded in death by her parents, Nicholas and Kalliope Olfanos, and sister Patricia Sercich. Further survived by several nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews, godchildren and her beloved grand dogs, Howie and Ollie.

Stella was born in Chicago and remained a proud Chicagoan her entire life. In fact, she was known to introduce herself as “Stella from Chicago.” After her father passed away when she was 16, she delayed going away to college, instead working multiple jobs to contribute to the family, which consisted of her mother, a Greek immigrant, and two younger sisters. She attended night school while working and eventually graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in elementary education. Stella taught first and second grade for 10 years in the Chicago Public Schools. She loved teaching and met many great friends during her years as a teacher. She maintained most of those friendships long after her teaching career ended.

In 1968, she retired from teaching when she married Nick Contos and they moved to Brookfield, Wisconsin. Although she was officially “retired” she was busier than ever, raising her three children, playing tennis, bridge, and golf. She made new friends in Milwaukee through her involvement at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church.

Stella had a gift of bringing people together and making everyone feel special. She was a social butterfly and belonged to several “birthday groups,” which led to lifelong friendships.
Stella loved to entertain and hosted many parties for friends, family, and to raise money for various charities including the Florentine Opera, Annunciation Philoptochos, and St. Coletta of Wisconsin. She was known for her delectable Greek pastries, especially her baklava.

Stella loved taking pictures and would photograph nearly every social event she attended. She would later gift a photo album commemorating the event to the guests of honor, as well as the hosts. Her friends and family affectionately referred to her as “Stella Paparazzi.”

Nick and Stella had a love for travel and were able to take many memorable trips with their family and friends. They loved spending time in Naples, Florida and made many new friends in retirement. Stella enjoyed knitting and was a proud member of St. Katherine’s Greek Orthodox Church’s “Knitting Angels” group.

The family would like to thank Father Ciprian Sas and Presbytera Maggie Sas for their love, friendship, and care for Stella, and the incredible and caring staff at the Congregational Home, Legacy Hospice and at Froedtert, including Dr. Selam Firat, NP Katie Van Schyndle, and Dr. Balpreet Kaur.

A visitation will be held at Krause Funeral Home, 21600 West Capitol Drive, Brookfield, Wisconsin on Thursday, February 2, 2023, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM with a Trisagion service at 6:30 PM. Additional visitation at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 9400 West Congress Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Friday, February 3, 2023 at 9:00 AM until the time of the service at 10:00 AM. A private family burial will take place in Chicago.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to: Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin,
St. Coletta of Wisconsin, or St. Katherine’s Greek Orthodox Church in Naples, Florida.