Stella Esther Drane, age 87, formerly of New Castle, passed away the evening of October 22, 2026, at Avalon Springs Care Center in Mercer, PA.

Born November 30, 1938, in Ellwood City, PA, she was the daughter of Harvey and Stella (Bauder) Watson.

She was preceded in death on April 3, 1989, by her husband of 26 years, Edward Drane, whom she married October 20, 1962.

A graduate of Slippery Rock High School, Esther was employed for several years as a secretary for both Slippery Rock College, and later, First Christian Church in New Castle.

She was an active member of Clen-Moore Presbyterian Church for many years where she sang in the church choir.

Among her varied interests, Stella enjoyed working on jigsaw puzzles, reading, crossword puzzles and spending time with her two grandchildren, Joshua and Abby.

In addition to her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by one daughter, Darlene Finley; two sisters, Gladys Emery and Doris Smith; and two brothers, Dean Watson and Wendell “Bill” Watson.

She is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Dianne and Scott Hanna of Wampum; one sister, Mae Bester of Reynoldsburg, Ohio; two grandchildren, Joshua (Lauren) Finley and Abby (Scott) Siddall; and one great-granddaughter, Oaklynn Finley.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 28, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. with a Memorial Service immediately following at 4:00 at Clen-Moore Presbyterian Church, 220 Clen-Moore Blvd, New Castle with Pastor Michael Spicuzza officiating.

Burial will be in Slippery Rock Cemetery.

Arrangements are by the R. Cunningham Funeral Home of New Castle, where online condolences may be offered to the family at www.cunninghamfh.com