Agnes E. Stiffler

STIFFLER – Agnes E. (nee’ Costlow), 101, of St. Michael, passed away March 10, 2020, ten days shy of her 102nd birthday. Born March 20, 1918, in St. Michael, daughter of James and Blanche (nee’ Adkins) Costlow.

Preceded in death by parents; husband, Jess Willard “Bip” Stiffler, who died December 20, 1985; daughters, Barbara Grattan-Wadsworth and Rosemary Lulos; son, James Stiffler; sisters, Pearl Simmons, Mary Jane Henderson, and Elsie Lehman; and brothers, Walter and Melvin Costlow.

Survived by children, Jacob (Mary Lou); Michael (Diane); Patrick (Lori); Regis (Cherie); Dorothy (Thom) Horn; Joseph (Shelli); and John (Kirsten); daughter-in-law, Victoria Stiffler; sons-in-law, George Lulos and Mark Wadsworth; sister, Virginia Phipps; twenty-four grandchildren; and thirty-one great-grandchildren.

As a child growing up on “Pink Row” in St. Michael, Agnes made fudge in the woods, sang old cowboy songs on the guitar, played “kick the can” (and this was before cans were even invented), and wrote poetry. She was a 1936 graduate of Windber High School. She briefly worked at the Company Store, considered the convent and nursing, but instead became a wife and mother of 10. Over the course of their life in Rockville, Agnes yelled 50,000 wake-up calls, changed and washed 100,000 (non-disposable) diapers, washed over 40,000 loads of laundry, watched over a sick child 1,000 times, made the best darn bread, baked 500,000 cookies, sang a million songs, and made cinnamon toast for the grandkids about 100 million times. Things we will remember: Christmas Eve at her house, singing on the porch swing in the summer breeze, iced tea, Christmas cookies, sleepovers, losing to her at scrabble, leftover Christmas cookies!, pot pie, Johnny Cash, the church choir, and singing “Fifty Cents.” Agnes was humble, generous, cuddly, and nurturing. She took care of everyone. Seemingly always with a baby in her arms. And magical. This seems to be the word that fits best. To the point that some of us thought she might live and watch over us forever. When she sold the old house in Rockville, she wrote this poem which now seems a perfect metaphor for her life. We love you the most Mum (Gram).

“This Old House”
This old house has seen its troubles
This old house has seen its joys,
This old place has witnessed growing pains
Of many girls and boys.
These old walls have rung with laughter,
This old roof’s been “raised” in strife,
With good news and disappointments
That go into family life.
These old stairs have borne the burden
Of a trillion pounding feet,
Footsteps quickened in elation Often slowed in sad retreat.
This old porch has been a God-send,
With its good old trusty swing,
Singing, swinging, laughing, shouting,
Recreation - sort - of - thing.
This big yard was the arena,
Neighbor children one and all
Congregated, participated,
Summer, Winter, Spring, & Fall.
This old house has done its living,
She’s worn out and tired - So
We shall tuck away our memories,
And we’ll let this old house go.
~ Agnes, South Fork (1988)

Friends will be received from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Charles O. Dimond Funeral Home, Inc., 621 Maple Street, South Fork; where vigil will be held.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 550 Main Street, South Fork; Father Joseph C. Nale, Celebrant.

Committal, South Fork Cemetery.