Obituary of Gladys Stene

Gladys Stene, of Rockaway, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 21, 2019 at Merry Heart Health Care Center in Succasunna. She was 93 years old.

Born and raised in Brooklyn to the late Gustav and Sofie Andersen, she was one of five children to bless the Andersen household. At 59^th Street Church in Brooklyn, she married her soulmate, Thor Stene, on Valentine’s Day in 1948. There they began a family of their own and raised two beautiful girls. In June of 1966, the Stene family relocated to the Lake Telemark section of Rockaway.

Gladys was a very talented needle-worker and she loved to play cards with her pals from Lake Telemark. She also loved to travel all over the world with Thor once he retired. Her specialty in the kitchen was baking, Norwegian cooking, and she always made the most delicious waffles. She loved to entertain family members and was very great at it.  

Gladys was a phenomenal wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who will be sorely missed and always remembered.

Predeceased by her beloved husband of 70 years, Thor, and her four siblings, Solveig Svenevik, Olga Johnson, Charles Andersen, and George Stanley, she leaves only joyful memories to her treasured daughters, Wendy Shibla of Allentown, PA and Valerie Usher of Rockaway; her cherished grandson, Mark and his wife Samantha Shibla; her adored great-grandson, Ashton; and many cousins, especially Martin Lunde and his family, extended family and friends.

Public visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 29th from 10:30 am - 12:30 pm with Funeral Service beginning at 12:30 pm. Burial will follow at Marcella Union Cemetery, Rockaway. Please leave a condolence and special memory for her family.