CNBNews

On June 25, 2023, Yola Stagliano (née Garufi), formerly of Haddon Heights, NJ, passed away peacefully in her sleep at the age of 97.

Born Giuseppina Yola on May 12, 1926, she was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, the only child of Antonio and Grace (née Sorbello) Garufi. Typical of Italian families, she was named after her father’s mom, but her entire life was referred to as Yola. A few times in her life she traveled back to Italy and Sicily with her parents. 

Yola was a graduate of Hallahan High School and The University of Pennsylvania. At Penn she met her future husband, Al, always known as ‘Stag.’ Fluent in Italian, she majored in foreign languages and became certified to teach Spanish and French. She was also certified in English.

At 21 years old, her first teaching job was in NJ at Woodstown High School. She went from a bustling city to literally living in a major farm town. She was always so happy to return to South Philly every weekend. 

Yola married in 1950 and stopped teaching a few years later, as she became a mom and raised her four children.  Some years later she returned to teaching, where she taught Spanish for 22 years at Paul VI High School in Haddonfield, NJ. She was Chairperson of her dept for most of her years there. Afterwards, she did homebound tutoring in Washington Twp.

In 2000, after 49 years of marriage, she lost our dear dad, and in 2014, her youngest child passed away. Understandably it would become the saddest time for her and our family. 

Besides the devoted wife of the late Albert P. and the loving mother of the late Paul (Madeleine), Yola is survived by her devoted children, Richard (Gerrie), David, and Donna (Steve). She is also the loving grandmother of 10 grandchildren (Mark, Matthew, Emily, Philip, Christopher, Brian, Cara Jo, Maria, Caroline Grace, and Rose) and 14 great-grandchildren (Lillian, Everett, Gwendolyn, Margot, Brooke, Vincent, Ethan, Ella, Wesley, Gavin, Damien, Brianna, Charles, and Stella). 

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her viewing on Friday, June 30, 9:30 to 11:00 AM at St. Rose of Lima Church, 4th Ave. & Kings Highway, Haddon Heights, NJ.  Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 AM.  Interment Holy Cross Cemetery, Yeadon, PA. 

In lieu of flowers, donations to Center of Family Services, One Alpha Avenue, Voorhees, New Jersey 08043 may be made. https://www.centerffs.org/get-involved/donate. 

Arrangements by the Foster-Warne Funeral Home, Audubon and Collingswood, NJ.