Stella D. Russell

Stella D. Russell, 89, of Jaffrey, died on Sunday, June 30, 2013 at the Good Shepherd Healthcare Center in Jaffrey after a long period of failing health.

Stella was born on July 30, 1923 in Peterborough, NH, daughter of the late William J. and Maria (Robitaille) Desmarais. She attended schools in Peterborough and lived there until moving to Jaffrey.

She had worked at D.D. Bean & Sons in Jaffrey for many years and had also been a volunteer at the Monadnock Community Hospital in Peterborough.

She enjoyed travelling, gardening and being a caregiver to many families in the area. Stella liked fashion and always tried to stay current with the clothing trends.

Stella was predeceased by her husband Kendall on March 7, 1998, and by her son Richard C. Stratton on March 27, 2006.

She is survived by her son James L. Stratton of Rindge, NH; her grandchildren, Candace Jones of Royalston, MA, Rebecca Jenkins of Jaffrey, NH, Brenda-Lee Meatty and Jamie Devlin, both of Rindge, NH, Richard Stratton, Jr. of Pennsylvania and Autumn Stratton of Nashua, NH; 10 great-grandchildren; her brothers, Raymond and Alfred Desmarais, both of Jaffrey; her sisters, Majella Ruschoni of Colorado Springs, Colorado and Evelyn Bacon of Charleston, SC and many nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends including Cuddles, her dog.

At Stella’s request, there will be no calling hours.

A Graveside Service will be held on Wednesday, July 3, 2013 at 3:00 PM in the family lot at the Old Burial Ground Cemetery in Jaffrey Center. Rev. Robert Kyte, Pastor of the First Church in Jaffrey will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Stella’s name to the Jaffrey-Rindge Memorial Ambulance Service, P.O. Box 107, Jaffrey, NH 03452-0107.