Stella French-Cook

SOUTH ROYALTON— Stella Frances French-Cook, 93, died Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2005 at her son’s home in Royalton. She was born January 22, 1912 on the family farm in North Tunbridge, the daughter of Harry L. and Cora A. (Black) Bowen.

She attended a one-room school house in North Tunbridge and had only one other student in her class. As a young girl, she enjoyed playing her two favorite games "Checkers" and (during the winter months) "Fox and Geese" in the snow. Along with her studies and her daily chores of gardening, gathering eggs, housework and cooking, she also took piano lessons from her mother. She loved music and spent many hours playing the baby-grand piano. At the age of 12, she started playing the organ at the church after her mother stopped playing. During these early years she also enjoyed embroidery, going to the Grange dances and attending church.

When she was 29 years old, on March 12, 1941, she was married to Charles A. French. They had four children. Charles died April 24, 1959. She later married Arnold Cook June 10, 1962.

She worked for her brother, L. B. Bowen in North Tunbridge for over 20 years, both in the office and in the store. Her second husband died November 12, 1973, and in 1980 she went to work as a bookkeeper for the Senior Citizen’s Center in Royalton. During this time, she also served as the organist, first for the Baptist Church in North Tunbridge Village and later for the Tunbridge Church, played part-time at the South Royalton Church for six years, and then at the Royalton Congregational Church in 1993.

She enjoyed traveling with her family and continued to play the piano and organ. She gave music lessons to several local children. She lived in South Royalton at Brightwood for the past several years. She enjoyed taking care of her grandchildren and great- grandchildren.

At her 90^th birthday celebration, she recalled her father buying their first automobile, a Maxwell, and going for her first ride to South Royalton. She lived through the transition from dim kerosene lamps to bright electric lights, from ice boxes and cookstove to electric appliances, from pump organ to electronic keyboards.

Survivors include three daughters: Brenda C. Paquin of Travelers Rest, SC; Cheryl S. Luce of Hudson Falls, N.Y.; and Bonnie Caswell of South Royalton; a son, Steven C. French of Royalton; 13 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by two brothers, Geryl Bowen, and Lawrence B. Bowen; and a sister, Beatrice N. Ware.

Calling hours were held Friday, Nov. 18, from 7-9 p.m. at the Boardway & Cilley Funeral Home in Chelsea.

A funeral service was held Saturday, Nov. 19, 2005 at 1:00 p.m. in the Tunbridge Church, with the Rev. David Wolfe officiating. Rev Wolfe welcomed the large crowd that filled the church. Family friend, Rev. Dan McAllister gave an opening prayer followed by a scripture reading from Rev. Wolfe. Stella’s grand-daughter sang, "Miss You Much." The congregation stood and sang one of Stella’s favorite hymns, "In The Garden," led by organist Judy Lewis. Another family friend, Harold Luce played "How Great Thou Art" on his fiddle.

Rev. Wolfe then got up and shared some of his thoughts about Stella. He spoke about Stella’s love of music, her love of people and most of all her love of her family. He said that Stella was one of those people who truly loved life and that it was this "love of life" that kept her young at heart. He also spoke of her incredible faith. At her request he read the poem entitled "Cross in My Pocket," a poem that she carried with her at all times. The congregation then sang "Amazing Grace."

Following a closing prayer the family and friends traveled the short distance up to the Spring Road Cemetery for a short committal service. The bearers were Steven French, Travis French-Dyer, Harry Paquin, Russell Luce, William Caswell, Richard Blake, and Kyle Blake-man. Honorary bearers were Arnold Castagner and Robert Gray Sr.

Memorial contributions may be made to: American Heart Association, New England Af-filiate, 20 Speen Street, Fram-ingham, Mass. 01701-4688.

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