Stella Antoinette Kachel, beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother (“Nonnie”), great-grandmother, aunt, and friend passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on September 20, 2024 in Livermore, CA at the age of 92. 

Stella was born in Santa Cruz, CA on September 12, 1932. Her parents were Cottardo Peter "Trub" Ghio and Chiara Angela (Loero) Ghio, first-generation immigrants from Riva Trigoso, Italy. Stella was the youngest of her siblings and she enjoyed having an older brother and sister to guide her and to make her laugh. She grew up surrounded by the love and laughter of countless relatives and friends. She graduated from Santa Cruz High School, where she was a popular cheerleader who was often asked to recreate the school’s famous “Give ‘Em The Ax” cheer (eventually banned following objections by rivals). Stella’s high school basketball career was short-lived but well remembered. Her exploits on the court were chronicled in the local paper after she grabbed a loose ball, dribbled down the court and scored two points…for the other team. She always said it was the most “beautiful shot” she ever made because players from both teams ended up giving her a hug. Nothing more perfectly sums up what Stella valued most in life — a warm embrace. Similar to the character Maria in The Sound of Music — she was “a cloud you could not pin down” and someone people could not help but love. 

At the age of 25, Stella planned to become a nun, but that was derailed when she first saw the love of her life, Peter Kachel, at a Christmas party. After their first date three months later, she introduced this “nice Catholic boy” (the youngest of 15 children from Frazee, MN) to her parents. They were so smitten with him, they told Stella if it didn’t work out, they were keeping him and kicking her out. Not to worry — Stella and Peter were married at Holy Cross Catholic Church (a mere 100 yards from where they first laid eyes on each other) on June 29, 1958 — only a week or so before Stella had initially planned to enter the convent. The two were inseparable for the next 66 years of marriage, rarely spending time apart. 

After the wedding, they moved to San Luis Obispo so Peter could attend college at Cal Poly. In June 1961, they welcomed their first child, Michael Kachel, into the world. The following year, Peter, aided by Stella’s expert typing prowess, graduated, accepted an engineering position with GE Nuclear Energy and they moved their young family to Livermore, CA. Their daughter, Korrin Kachel (Wade), was born in June 1964 and the family regularly attended St. Michael Catholic Church in Livermore, where Stella volunteered in a variety of ways while her children attended the parish school. 

Stella made many friends while attending church events, dance recitals, youth baseball and soccer games and other gatherings — almost always in support of her children and others. She was well known for her sweet nature, self-deprecating humor, pure and generous heart, warm hugs, wonderful laugh and making the best darn sandwiches and potato salad known to mankind.  There was never a person who entered her home who was not offered copious amounts of food and drink, a hug, or made to feel like part of the family. She was truly a child of God.

Stella was preceded in death by her parents, as well as her beloved brother and sister — Stephen “Johnnie” Ghio and his wife, Kathleen, and Victoria Ghio (Torchio) and her husband, Egidio, all of Santa Cruz. She was also preceded in death by her nephew, Dennis Torchio, and great-niece, Anna Torchio, both very dear to her and also of Santa Cruz.

Stella is survived by her husband: Peter; son: Michael and his wife, Deborah, of Manakin-Sabot, VA; daughter: Korrin and her husband, Rod Wade, of Los Gatos, CA; grandchildren: Katerina Kachel-Day, Tatiana Kachel, Michael Wade, and Isabella Wade; great-grandchildren: Kassidy Scott and Ryan Scott, Jr.; nephews: Donald Torchio, Stephen John Ghio, Jr., and Donald Ghio; niece: Debra Ghio (White); and dozens of members of Peter’s large family— many of whom routinely called to check in on “Aunt Stella and Uncle Pete.” Stella was also blessed by the arrival in her life of Agatha Stokes, who provided loving, tender care for Stella as her health declined the past several years.

Services will be held on October 23rd at Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel,1050 Cayuga Street, Santa Cruz, CA with the vigil starting at 6pm and earlier visitation hours from 2 pm to 6 pm. On October 24th, a funeral mass will be held at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 210 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA at 11:30 am.  Immediately following the mass, the entombment will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery, 2271 7th Avenue in Santa Cruz, CA.

In remembrance of Stella Kachel's life and love of her community, the family asks that any charitable donations be made in her name to St. Michael Catholic Church, 458 Maple St., Livermore, CA 94550.