Reporting by Stacie Joy
Photos from 2024 by Stacie Joy
Sources say she suffered a heart attack at her home in Queens.
Stella, a longtime friend of owner Ray Alvarez, had been with Ray's Candy Store since 1977.
This afternoon, the 24/7 Ray's was closed during what was traditionally Stella's shift. Updated: For the foreseeable future, the hours at Ray's will be 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.
We're told that Ray is in shock over Stella's passing. 
She will be missed by generations of East Village residents, past and present, and by all those who made Ray's a neighborhood favorite over the years.
On a personal note, I will miss Stella's sweet yet steely disposition — and the way she always tried to ply me with a soft serve or an egg cream. I'll miss how she took care of Ray, making sure his meds were in order and that he ate his dinner.
It's heartbreaking to know I won't see her on my endless trips by Ray's — waving through the to-go window or smiling from behind the counter, always with style and panache, her signature blue rinse and sweater sets firmly in place.
We'll share more information as it becomes available.
Photo of Ray and Stella in 1975 via Peter Brownscombe
What terrible news. Stella was as wonderful and beautiful a person as ever existed. I never passed up on a chance to stop by Ray’s to say hi to her. May she rest in peace.
ReplyDeleteSo very sad to hear of her passing. I am thankful for her time behind the counter at Ray's. My kids always seemed to get extra soft serve.
ReplyDeleteAw. Rest in peace Stella.
ReplyDeleteSad news
ReplyDelete😔🙏
ReplyDeleteCondolences to her family and friends
ReplyDeleteShe always had a smile for you, even just walking by and waving hello. A wonderful neighbor!!
ReplyDeleteI've been blessed to have hours of conversation with my friends over the past few days, and it's been wonderful as (I think) the world is getting a lot less humane/interpersonal.
ReplyDeleteMaybe we could all make an effort in the future to forge connections with people that we have seen over the years and never asked their names or offered to grab them a cup of coffee or whatever...?
I am thinking of the laundry girls and bodega guys who I have seen for almost 20 years and never tried to connect with?
i will miss that smile, banter and quick wit. And nobody mixed an egg cream like Stella. God Bless her
ReplyDeleteIt’s true, her black and white was the best. But she said not to tell Ray that. Because he taught her how, after all.
DeleteThis is so very sad. This will be very hard for Ray.
ReplyDeleteSad news. Wish it wasn't so. RIP.
ReplyDeleteRest in peace, Stella, and condolences to her loved ones.
ReplyDeleteShe was a remarkable woman. She had the softest heart behind that sometimes gruff exterior. She always remembered my name, and encouraged me to stay and chat. She took such good care of Ray. My heart breaks for Ray, for Maria, and for the neighborhood. What a loss.
ReplyDeleteI can't even begin to count the number of egg creams she prepared for me...a sad loss for the neighborhood
ReplyDeleteSame for me, but with Cherry Lime Rickeys <3
Deleteso sad....we thought she was Ray's wife
ReplyDelete