Stella passed away Wednesday morning, May 27, 2015 at home, surrounded by her loving family. She was 91 years of age. Born in Boston, she is the daughter of the late Alessandro and Maria (Pisano) Cucchiara. Stella grew up in Everett and attended Everett Public Schools. She graduated from Everett High School, Class of 1941. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Education from Salem State University in 1945. Stella later went on to receive her Master's Degree in Education from Boston University. She dedicated almost 40 years teaching children the fundamentals of reading and literacy. Stella began her career teaching 6th grade at the Centre School in Everett. She worked there for 10 years before traveling overseas to Mannheim, Germany to teach children of the members of the Armed Forces. Upon returning home to Everett, Stella met her beloved husband, Edward J. Lafferty. Before marriage and starting a family, Stella traveled to Japan to broaden her desire to teach children afar. Upon her return, she and Ed married in 1959 and Stella then taught in Brookline for the next 6 years. Stella finished her teaching career in the City of Chelsea, where she and her husband resided. She worked at the Mary C. Burke School and the Shurtleff School over a period of 17 years. Stella retired in 1992.

During her lifetime Stella enjoyed art, music, gardening, cooking, traveling, reading and most importantly, spending time with her children, grandchildren, cousins, and nieces and nephews. She was a member of Our Lady of Grace Church for over 60 years and she was a late member of the American Federation of Teachers.


Stella is the devoted mother of Edward A. Lafferty and his wife Terri of Essex and Cynthia Grace-Ellen (Lafferty) Tymeson and her husband Walter Brooke of PA and FL. Dear sister of Orlando Cucchiara and his wife Carol of Chelmsford and the late Gaetano "Guy" Cucchiara. Sister-in-law of Irene Cucchiara of West Peabody. Dear cousin of Rose Taverna of Bourne. Also lovingly survived by 5 grandchildren, Leah, Ariel, and Matthew Tymeson, Cailey and Paige Lafferty and several nieces, nephews and cousins.