Stanlene M. Vann

Stanlene “Stash” Vann passed away peacefully in Lorton, Virginia, surrounded by her loving family. Stash will be remembered by all who loved her as good-hearted, kind, and fully devoted to her strong Catholic faith. She had an unwavering trust in our Lord and was inspired by her favorite saint, Saint Therese of Liseux, to live a life of unconditional love of others. Stash was born to Stella and Leo Makoski in Passaic, NJ at St. Mary’s Hospital on May 3, 1944. When she was young, her family moved to Rochelle Park, NJ. Stash attended Catholic schools, where she excelled academically and built a strong spiritual foundation. A gifted mathematician, Stash earned the highest grades in math at Sacred Heart Catholic High School and was the first in her family to attend college. While at Ladycliff College in Highland Falls, NY, Stash met the love of her life, David Vann, who was a cadet at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. After Stash graduated in 1966, she worked as a computer programmer for IBM in Poughkeepsie, NY. Meanwhile David was stationed in Germany for his first assignment in the U.S. Army. Not wanting to be without his beloved any longer, David called Stash on the phone to propose, and the couple was married two months later. During their time in Germany, David and Stash joyfully welcomed their first daughter, Sandy, and were blessed with the births of Debbie and Kathy in the following years. Stash was the rock of the family and selflessly served our nation as the quintessential Army wife. She held down the home front while David served a combat tour in Vietnam and another unaccompanied tour in Korea. With eleven moves in twenty years, Stash made each new house a home, filling it with the greatest necessities of faith, hope, and love. While accomplished in all that she did, Stash always put her faith and her family first and instilled those values in her children. A leader in many capacities, Stash served at church and her children’s schools, as a scout leader, and for her husband’s military units. When the family moved to Virginia, Stash joined TRW as a Systems Analyst. While David was stationed at West Point, Stash worked in the U.S. Military Academy Computer Department, co-developing the first cadet email system. When the family moved back to Virginia, Stash returned to TRW, where she quickly rose to the executive role of Director of Quality Assurance, working on top secret projects like the Space Shuttle. Stash was most excited to develop marketing & control software for the nuclear industry, traveling to Finland, Ukraine, and the Czech Republic and presenting her work at the International Atomic Energy Conference in 1993. She retired in 2001, blessed to enjoy her most joyous role as a Grammie. Stash is best known for being a fun and loving Mother, Grammie, Sister, Cousin, Aunt, and Friend. She adoringly and unceasingly poured her love and support over her family and happily shared many stories of her five wonderful grandchildren. Welcoming many people into their home, Stash effortlessly offered the most charitable hospitality—a place to rest, home-cooked meals, the best cookies, an understanding ear, and wise counsel when sought. Stash is predeceased by her husband of almost fifty years, David Vann, and her parents, Leo and Stella Makoski. She is survived by her daughters Sandy Vann-Olejasz (Steve Olejasz), Debbie Edelen (John), and Kathy Mulligan (George) and her adoring grandchildren Dennis, Ryanne, MacRae, Greg and Danny. She is also survived by her loving brother, Raymond Makoski (Lynda). A Celebration of Life will be held at Spring Hill Community Center on Friday, June 14, 2024 from 4-6pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Chapel at West Point, New York, followed by committal at the West Point Cemetery on Monday, July 8, 2024 at 10am. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to your favorite charity in Stash’s memory or to Capital Caring Hospice.

Tributes

Stanlene M. Vann

May 3, 1944 - June 4, 2024