The family announces with sorrow her passing on Thursday May 8th 2014 at the John Owen Evans Residence in Geraldton at the age of 98 years. Predeceased by her husband Oliver Wurm in 2002. She is survived by her niece Carol House (Allyson) of Geraldton, her nephews Sam Drajanoff (Diane) of Geraldton, Jim Velyan (Jean) of Osoyoos, B.C. , Peter Velyan of Shelburne, ON and Mark Hara (Ann) of Sault Ste Marie, ON and Karen Siltimaki (Aki) of Thunder Bay; her brother-in-law Bob Leckie (Michelle) of Brossard, Que. and by numerous other nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her sisters Mary Velyan and Jean Drajanoff and by her brother Nicholas Drajanoff. Stella was born in Hearst, Ontario on June 24, 1915 to Slavko and Evanka Drajanoff. In Hearst, she attended a one-room village school until Grade 7 and then a French Convent for Grades 7 & 8. At age 12 she left home for high school; the Northern Academy at Monteith. It was a government-subsidized school for northerners who had no access to secondary school education in their hometowns.
After graduating from North Bay Normal School, Stella began her teaching career in 1933 at a Slovak Community called Bradlo, eight miles southeast of Hearst. In 1936 she relocated to Timmins to continue a very rewarding teaching career, which included employment at Moneta School, Birch Street School and Central School. Stella married Oliver Wurm in 1942 and they resided on Spruce Street in Timmins for the next 60 years. Following her retirement in 1967 she continued to contribute to her community by teaching Sunday school at First United Church during Rev. Miller’s time. She was a founding member of the Association for the Mentally Challenged. Stella participated in the Music Festival with numerous school choirs and also served as an adjudicator’s secretary. Stella was a sports enthusiast. She particularly enjoyed playing golf and tennis and rarely missed her beloved Toronto Maple Leafs on TV. A regular social event for Stella was her neighborhood bridge club. In 2006 Stella moved to Geraldton to be closer to family. Although she missed her many close friends in Timmins, she quickly endeared herself to several new friends. She continually expressed her love and gratitude to those who were near and dear to her. She will forever be in our hearts as our favorite Aunt and friend…a loving mentor to us all. Funeral service will be held on Wednesday May 14 at 2 p.m. in the Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends on Tuesday evening from 7-9 p.m. at LESSARD-STEPHENS Funeral Home.
Remembrance donations to the Geraldton Hospice North West, 500 Hogarth West, Geraldton, ON, P0T 1M0 or to Kidsports Timmins will be greatly appreciated.