September 20, 1935 — May 11, 2026
Sister Mary Stella Motyl, 90, died at Our Lady of the Angels Convent in Enfield, Connecticut, on May 11, 2026, after 70 years in vowed religious life as a member of the Felician Sisters.
Carol Motyl was born on September 20, 1935, the youngest of 12 children born to John and Rose (Lis) Motyl and the last of her siblings to enter eternal life.
She attended St. Mary Elementary School in Middletown, Connecticut, and high school as an aspirant at Our Lady of the Angels Academy from 1949 to 1952. Carol entered postulancy on August 2, 1953, novitiate in 1954, and made her first profession as Sister Stella on August 6, 1955. Her final profession was in 1961.
Sister Stella enjoyed cooking and served the community and the wider Enfield community as a cook for fifty years. She served at two local convents in Windsor, Connecticut, and Salem, Massachusetts, before serving at the Felician Generalate in Rome from 1963 to 1973.
Upon her return, she cooked at Our Lady of the Angels Provincial Convent for four years, then prepared meals for children at The Enfield Day Care Center while also serving as superior of Mother Angela Residence.
On her 60th Anniversary celebration as a Felician Sister, Sister Stella wrote, “I am grateful to God for calling me to the Felician Congregation and for giving me the health, ability, creativity and strength to serve Him in the capacity of COOK for 50 full years which I loved very, very much. Ten of these years were spent in Rome, Italy, at the Generalate, and the last 14 were spent cooking for 145 children at the Enfield Day Care Center, which was run by the Town of Enfield but housed at our former Provincial Convent.”
She continued, “Our Good Lord then opened another window for me so that I could serve Him through chauffeuring my sisters to wherever they need to go and running errands for them. I love this assignment very, very much as well, and I hope to continue it for several more years to come.”
Sister Stella was always hardworking and is remembered by many, from near and far, for the intense labor she put into providing food services at the annual lawn party and pre-Christmas sale held at the Provincial House in Enfield.
In her later years, she devoted her efforts to a variety of needs, whether collecting and redeeming bottles and cans to support the missions or assisting the local minister with other activities.
Sister Stella had a very special devotion to Our Lady Star of the Sea (Stella Maris), having been given this name at her investiture during the Marian Year. She was often found in the chapel praying the rosary and spending time in Adoration.
Sister Stella had a very special and loving relationship with her family. While faithfully attending to the demands of her ministry, she also found time to be there for them through prayer and presence in times of need.
Her family, in turn, loved her dearly, showing their devotion with frequent visits despite the distance they had to travel. Sister Stella enjoyed those visits, which even included great-great nieces and nephews. Together they enjoyed playing games, going out for ice cream, and getting to know each other.
Sister Stella spent many hours outside on her motorized scooter enjoying the beauty of the convent grounds and welcoming visitors in her peaceful and pleasant manner. She also enjoyed working on jigsaw puzzles and playing Scrabble with her loving sister friends.
Sister Stella’s sisters held a prayer vigil for her while she was in hospice care.
Fr. Paul Miskiewicz led the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, and Sister Mary Stella Motyl peacefully passed away shortly afterward on May 11, 2026.
Sister Stella Motyl’s funeral arrangements were delayed because family members were out of the country. She had a long-time desire to be cremated and interred at St. Adalbert Cemetery, Enfield, CT.
On Monday, June 15, 2026, a wake was held from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the Our Lady of Angels Convent chapel, followed by a Prayer Service including the sharing of memories. Sisters, family members, and friends with whom she had lived and worked blessed us with many stories and words of appreciation. Fr. Raphael Zwolenkiewicz presided over the service.
On Tuesday, June 16, 2026, an hour-long visitation was followed by the Mass of Christian Burial, concelebrated by chaplain Fr. Andrew Santamauro, OFM, Conv., and Fr. Paul Miskiewicz, OFM, Conv. Chuck Schwalbach and his son, Owen, family members from California, were lectors. The Cemetery Service was held at St. Adalbert Cemetery in Enfield, CT, with both chaplains, many family members and friends, Felician Associates, and Sisters present. A delicious meal was enjoyed by all in the dining room upon their return to Our Lady of the Angels Convent.
