Rose (Casello) Stachelek

Rose Louise (Casello) Stachelek, 88, of Leicester, passed away peacefully Sunday, November 18th, surrounded by her family.

Rose was born September 20, 1930, the fourth of twelve children to Nicolas and Emily (Sena) Casello of Gage Street, Worcester. She left formal schooling early to help take care of her younger siblings. On a warm summer evening in 1952, while walking through Washington Square, she was wooed by a young Korean War veteran who was “cruising” with his buddy. Rose married Stanley W. Stachelek at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish on July 4th, 1953. They started a family in the Tatnuck area and eventually moved to Leicester. She was a long-time member of St. Pius X Parish. She worked at Russell Manufacturing in Leicester, Ames in Webster Square, and Mort's Shoes in Webster Square. In the late 1990’s she and Stan were re-called to parenting duties to help raise their grandchildren.

Rose took great pride in the accomplishments of her children and grandchildren.  In addition, “Nana Banana” loved playing bingo with her sisters, making crafts, cooking macaroni and baking Italian cookies for her family, attending Concerts on the Common in Leicester, and taking walks with her husband around Elm Park. She was equally conversant in both Law and Order episodes and Tom Brady’s playbook.

Rose is pre-deceased by two sisters, four brothers, and her beloved husband of 63 years, who passed away in December of 2016. 

Rose is survived by her son, Stanley J. Stachelek  and daughter-in-law Karen Stachelek of Philadelphia; her daughter, Ann Marie Froelich and her son-in-law Dana Froelich of Cape Cod; her nephew, BJ Hill of Leicester; her grandchildren Tracy LaPointe of Vernon, CT; Tara Berube of Cranston, RI; Melissa Tharp of Spencer; Crystal Rutkiewicz of Cranston, RI; Rusty Woodcock of Athol; Nicole Woodcock of Athol; Emma and Siobhan Stachelek of Philadelphia; nine great-grandchildren; her siblings Alfred Casello of Bolton; Joseph Casello of Shrewsbury; Anna Stuart of Auburn; John Casello of Worcester; Michael Casello of Worcester; and a loving network of nieces and nephews.

Rose’s family would like to thank Rose and Stan’s neighbors in Leicester, the Levitans and the Sjogrens; and the dedicated healthcare staffs at The Saint Francis Home, The Meadows, and UMass Memorial.

Friends and relatives are invited to calling hours Sunday, November 25^th from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St.   Her funeral will be held Monday, November 26^th from the funeral home with a procession beginning at  9:30 am  to St Pius X Church, 1161 Main St Leicester where her funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 am.   Burial will follow in St John’s Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers memorial donations in her name can be made to the Dementia Society of America, P.O. Box 600, Doylestown, PA 18901.