Kenmore, NY – Stella Hycner, a cherished resident at Catholic Health’s McAuley Residence, is marking a remarkable milestone—her 107th birthday! Born in Buffalo on May 5, 1918, Stella shares her birth year with notable figures like Rita Hayworth, Billy Graham, Betty Ford, and Howard Cosell. That year also witnessed the onset of the Spanish Flu and the conclusion of World War I under President Woodrow Wilson.
On Monday, May 5, 2025, McAuley Residence celebrated Stella’s 107th birthday with a party. Erie County Senior Services Commissioner Randy Hoak joined the celebration, and presented Stella with a proclamation from Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz, declaring May 5 Stella Hycner Day in Erie County! The proclamation detailed her wonderful life and contributions.
Stella’s life has been a tapestry of family and work in Buffalo, the Queen City. She attended Public School #79 and balanced raising her two children with jobs at Dunlop, selling mattresses, and later at Bells Supermarket, where she worked until its closure in 1992.
Stella enjoys video chatting with her family, who are spread across the country. A lover of Polish music, she often listens to it, fondly recalling dancing with her sweetheart, Frank, whom she met at 16 and married in 1934. Stella is one of five siblings and has three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
