Eleace B. Stacey

Eleace B. Stacey (aka Michele’s mom) was born on September 22, 1923, and departed this life on April 14, 2022, in the comfort of her daughter Michele Stacey in Wilmington, Delaware. 

 

She was raised on Lewisville Road surrounded by her mother, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and many cousins. 

 

She attended and graduated from Lawrenceville Elementary School and Princeton High School.  Upon graduation she attended Boston Conservatory of Music in Boston, MA. Before completing the conservatory, she enlisted as a W.A.C. (Women Army Crop) where she joined her mother and they were both stationed in Des Moines, Iowa.  They were photographed as the first enlisted mother and daughter ever in the history of army.  

 

Barbara said “Yes” and married James F. Stacey, Sr. and from this union they shared 6 children, Sandra, James, Jacqueline, Anthony, Cynthia, and Michele. 

 

Following her grandfather, she became a member of Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church until meeting her husband James, where she converted to Catholism. She was a devote Catholic to the end.  She was member of Our Lady’s of Divine Shepard, St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Lawrenceville and later a member of St. Joseph’s and St. Patrick’s in Wilmington, Delaware.  

 

Not long after the passing of her mother, she relocated to Delaware and resided with her daughter Michele.  She became a very active bingo player and enjoyed the friends she made at Oak Grove, St. Patrick’s, People Settlement and Saint Anthony’s Senior Center.  

 

Barbara’s employment led her to Princeton Medical Center, North Princeton Development Center (30 years) and Kmart (10 years). Upon moving to Delaware, she volunteered at People’s Settlement. 

 

She enjoyed spending time with her family and was present at all functions, traveling with her cousins, bingo, the casinos and the Blue Monday Club. She loved the company of her cousins, Ann, Blanche and Mary and enjoyed the times they had.  

 

She is survived by children, Sandra (Bosley) Porrata, James and Cheryl Stacey, Jacqueline, Anthony, Cynthia and Michele Stacey; grandchildren, Curtiss, Christopher, Cory and Jasmine; great grandchildren, Curtiss, Christian, Nehemiah, Christopher, Juliet and James; great nieces, nephews, and many many friends. 

 

There wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do for you, but if she asked you if you would like something and you said “no”, that was that. Miss. “This that or the other”, Miss. “personified”, and of course Miss. “What Ever” left an impression wherever she was and went. Barbara was that type of person when you met her it was like “instant friendship”.