Stella M. (Kuliewicz) Otto, 93, of Martins Ferry, OH died, Tuesday, April 2, 2019 at Liza's Place, Wheeling, WV. She was born April 25, 1925 in Martins Ferry a daughter of the late Joseph A. and Josephine (Kogut) Kuliewicz.

Stella was a lifelong resident of Martins Ferry, and a devoted parishioner of St. Mary's Catholic Church. She was blessed with a generous soul, a gentle sense of humor and a special gift to make friends with everyone she met.

Stella lived a simple but inspired life. After graduating from Martins Ferry High School in 1943, she journeyed alone to Washington DC, answering the call of duty at the Department of Navy until the end of WW II. Later Stella was called into civil service again, when a series of "letters to the editor" sparked a movement to elect her to City Council in 1981. Stella served five terms, winning by landslide margins, until she retired from public office in 1991. She carried on a lifetime commitment to volunteer work long past retirement, by staying active in countless projects until the last few weeks of her life.

Stella's greatest achievement was being an amazing mother and role model. She cherished her eleven grandchildren, her daily walks to the Library and greeting friends while sitting in her favorite pew at St. Mary's each Sunday. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Lewis E. Otto, a daughter, Janet Otto-McEvoy and brother, Stanley.

Surviving are her children Matthew (Anna) Otto of Mt. Pleasant, OH, Joseph (Marti) Otto of Cincinnati, OH, Andrew (Sherl) Otto of Pickerington, OH, and Nancy (Kevin) Hrusovsky of Hopkinton, MA, grandchildren; Erin McEvoy, Stephanie and Michael Otto, Katie (Chris) Spitzer, Angela (Patrick) Townsend, Andrea and Jenny Otto and Stephen Hrusovsky, Marissa, Alyssa, and Joseph Otto.

Family and friends will be received Sunday 3-7 p.m. at Heslop Funeral Home, 415 Walnut St., Martins Ferry, OH. Funeral Liturgy with Mass will be celebrated Monday, April 8, 2019 at 11:00 am at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 20 N. 4th St., Martins Ferry, with Rev. Tom Marut Officiating. Burial follows in St. Mary's Cemetery, Martins Ferry.

Wake Services will be held Sunday at 6:30 pm in the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to St. Mary's Central School, a special place in Stella's heart.

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