It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of Stella Lee Gustavson. She died unexpectedly on Monday, September 21, 2026, following a brief illness. Born in Toronto, Stella grew up in the North Toronto community, where she began forming the lifelong friendships that would become such an important part of her life. She created happy summer memories through her childhood and teen years at the Ril Lake family cottage and the Estonian children’s camp, Jõekääru. Her adult journey took her to the University of Waterloo, where she studied Urban Planning. This led to a passionate career serving several major municipalities in both Ontario and the United States. After ten years in Houston, Texas, Stella returned to the Toronto area, where she gave her all to the City of Toronto’s planning community. She made a lasting impact on all the communities she served and on the many lives of those with whom she worked. After retirement, Stella moved to Picton, Ontario, where she lived a joyous life in what she affectionately called her “happy place.” Wherever she went, Stella built community through deeply rooted and enduring relationships. Being with Stella meant laughter and fun. She loved to cook and host an excellent party. She always surrounded herself with music. She volunteered with numerous community organizations, including the Regent Theatre in Picton, which led to her infamously blunt “movie reviews.” She loved her furry cat family, her human family and her friends. Fiercely independent, Stella lived her life her way, at full throttle, with an enduring passion and tremendous courage for new adventures. She was finally living her lifelong dream of learning to fly with the Kingston Flying Club, where she became a mascot of living proof that a human can do anything. Stella is truly flying with the angels now. She was, and will always be, beloved. A private family service will be held to honour our dear Stella. We hope that those she loved, across her many communities and connections, will gather to remember her in their own ways. Donations in Stella Lee Gustavson’s memory may be made to any of the following organizations: Daily Bread Food Bank (Toronto): www.dailybread.ca Regent Theatre Foundation (Picton): www.canadahelps. org/en/charities/regent-theatre-foundation-the/ Picton Hospital Foundation: wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E342786QE&id=5 Hospice Prince Edward (Picton): www.hospiceprinceedward.ca