Veronica Mary Stepien

Veronica M. Rolince Stepien, 99, of Syracuse, passed away Saturday. She was the seventh child of twelve children born to Mary A. and Joseph Rolince. All but two oldest children moved from Leckrone, PA to Syracuse when Veronica was seven years old.

Veronica was an avid reader and even when her vision was failing, she spent many hours listening to her books on tape. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were treasures that she adored. She tried to attend every concert, play, dance recital, and graduation that her grandchildren were in. Even at the age of 84, she took her first plane ride to Texas to see the grandson, in the Army, before he deployed to Iraq. She always had treats for the great-grandchildren when they visited her.

Veronica was a graduate of Vocational High School. She was married to Francis J. Stepien Jr. for 50 years and had three children. She had various jobs including her favorite as secretary at Sacred Heart Elementary School for twenty years. She retired from there in 1986. She was a communicant of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and in the confraternity of Christian Mothers at Sacred Heart and the Slovak Catholic Ladies Union and Polish Roman Catholic Union.

Veronica was predeceased by her husband, of 50 years, Francis J. Stepien Jr.; brothers, Joseph, Paul, Edward, and Frank Rolince and sisters, Mary Shutsa, Anne Budai, Margaret Halczyn, Helen Novenche, Agnes Kulsea, and Dorothy Mayer.

Surviving are her daughter, Mary Beth (Peter) Klementowski of Camillus; sons, Francis J. (Pamela), and Timothy (Elaine) Stepien, both of Camillus; sister, Evelyn Helmstetter of Newfield, NC; grandchildren, Matthew (Desiree), Peter (Julie), Thomas (Darcie) Klementowski; Becky (Daryl) Klementowski Acevedo, Melissa (Calvin) Stepien Gwinner, Tracy (Matt) Stepien Wheeler, Jennifer (Jeff) Stepien Johnson, and Jeff (Alaina) Stepien; great-grandchildren, Matthew, Maureen, Nathan, Jamie, Abygail Ashley, Ryan Mark, and Molly and Kelsey Klementowski; Iris and Alan Stepien and soon to be Baby Stepien-Wheeler; sister-in-law, Bernice Rolince of Lakeland; and many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends may call Monday November 30 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Buranich Funeral Home, 5431 W. Genesee St., Camillus.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday December 1 at 9:30 a.m. in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Veronica will be laid to rest in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Geddes.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice of CNY and the Fingerlakes, 990 Seventh North Street, Liverpool, NY 13088.