Obituary of Stella May Smith

Stella May Smith, 98, formerly of Glen Gardner, NJ, passed away on Monday July 10, 2023, at Complete Care at Brakeley Park in Phillipsburg NJ. She was born on February 12, 1925, in Clinton, NJ and was the daughter of the late Lester and the late Jenny (née Height) Opdyke and the sister of the late Virginia Mazar.

Raised in Clinton NJ, Stella considered herself a great speller growing up and won 1^st place in a spelling bee tournament in grade school. Stella lived in Glen Gardner, NJ, with her husband Earl Royce until his passing in 2001. 

She previously worked as a Sunday School Teacher and worked as a line supervisor for Quality Packaging until she retired in 1991.

Stella enjoyed dancing to big band music and attending events at the VFW on New Year’s Eve.  In her later years, Stella enjoyed watching Dancing with the Stars.  She was especially fond of dancer Derek Hough.  She also enjoyed reading gossip magazines and jigsaw puzzles.

Stella will be forever cherished by her 3 daughters, Virginia Snyder and her husband Thomas Jr, Jeanette Vroom, Mary Spargo and her husband Jerry. Stella is also survived by her grandchildren, Ashley and Jacob Vroom, Virginia Cabrera and Thomas Snyder III; great grandchildren Lily, Nick and Charlotte Cabrera.

All services for Stella will be held privately by her family under the care of Martin Funeral Home, Clinton, NJ. Stella's final resting place will be next to her beloved husband at Evergreen Cemetery, Clinton NJ. To send condolences to the family please visit www.martinfh.com