Emma Gilda Stabeno

(nee Lopane) of Sewell.  Age 87. Beloved wife of Daniel.  Devoted mother of Daniel and John Stabeno and the late Denise Scafidi.  Also survived by her son-in-law Fred Scafidi.  Loving grandmother of Dana Marie (Michael) and Alex (Hamza).  Dear sister of Sandra Cristilli.  Best friend of Mary Cucinotta.  Loved by nieces, nephews and cousins.

Emma Stabeno was a family-oriented person who cherished her relationships with her husband, children, grandchildren, and a close-knit group of lifelong friends. She was born on September 19, 1937, to an Italian Immigrant father, Steve and a Russian Jewish immigrant mother., Sara. Emma grew up in South Philadelphia in a multi-generational household with her paternal grandparents, two uncles, their wives, and children and her younger sister. She was the oldest grandchild of all her cousins who grew up more like brothers and sisters. Named after her grandmother, Ermagilda, a very religious women and a spiritual mentor to young Emma who chose to be baptized Catholic at the age of 16.

Emma excelled in academics and proudly graduated from last class of Southern High School for Girls in 1955. Shortly after high school, she fell in love with Daniel Stabeno, who was one of 13 children. He was her first and only love, and they were married on June 27, 1959. Together, they had three children whom they raised modestly. Emma was prudent with finances and always ensured the family could spend a week or two in North Wildwood each summer. She loved all her extended family, especially her many nieces and nephews. She greatly enjoyed large family gatherings on holidays and special occasions.

After being a stay-at-home mom for 10 years, Emma got a job as a secretary in a real estate office across the street from their home in order to still be able to still prepare lunch for her children. She later worked as a medical secretary at The Methodist Hospital. Emma loved working, meeting people, and seemed to know everybody and how they were connected. Her passion was reading, which she did every night, making her especially good at Jeopardy. Baseball was her favorite sport, and she became an avid Phillies fan after the Philadelphia Athletics moved to Oakland

Friendships were particularly important to Emma, and she had many including her classmates, co-workers, and neighbors. Together with her husband they had very tight knit group of friends. A group of 5 men whose friendship since childhood united them throughout their lives and their wives also became best friends. They vacationed together and traveled whenever they could.

In 1984, Emma and her husband went on a pilgrimage to Rome, the Holy Land, and Lourdes, which deepened her faith. From then on, until the day died, she was faithful to morning and evening prayers. She also kept a prayer book with obituaries of people she knew and clipped out of the newspaper. Together with her collection of funeral cards, they numbered in the hundreds. Emma was a good listener, non-judgmental, gentle, generous and always exhibited outstanding moral character.

Emma’s greatest joy was being a grandmother to two beautiful girls, who are her pride and joy. Her greatest sorrow was standing by her daughter as she battled cancer. Her deep faith helped her deal with this loss with courage, dignity, and grace. She was grateful her daughter married a loving husband and now her granddaughters have found outstanding gentlemen to call husband.

Because of her deep faith and belief in the afterlife in heaven, she was not afraid to die. She was certain to see her daughter and be united with her once more with all her family. Despite deep sorrow on Earth, there is great rejoicing in heaven.

Family and friends are invited to attend her viewing Tuesday 7:00-9:00 PM at the Egizi Funeral Home, 119 Ganttown Road, Washington Twp. and Wednesday 9:45-10:45 AM at St. Charles Borromeo Roman Catholic Church, 176 Stagecoach Road, Washington Twp.  Mass of Christian Burial 11:00 AM. Entombment, St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Chews Landing.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Emma’s memory may be made to Daylesford Abbey, 220 South Valley Road, Paoli, PA 19301.

“A Life Well Lived Is Worth Remembering”