Shirley L Bleau Stone

She was born, one of twelve children, on April 10, 1936, in Keene, NH, to the late Romeo and Eva (Dubois) Bleau. She grew up with a passion for the arts, especially music. As a child, she and her sisters, Claudette and Janet, formed the “Harmonettes,” and sang at local churches and events.

On May 1, 1954, she married Frank “Buddy” Stone and began a family. She was a devoted and dedicated wife and mother. Though her family and friends filled much of her time, she was also a talented artist, an avid poet, and a phenomenal cook. She shared her culinary expertise with the community when she opened and ran “Papa’s Place,” a hotdog stand on Route 12.

She was an inspiration to all who knew her, and consistently demonstrated unwavering strength and courage. She had a wonderful sense of humor, and was quick to offer a smile, helping hand, or kind word to everyone she encountered.

She had many joys in her life: watching the Red Sox, spending time with her beloved pet Chihuahua, Buddy, and singing with her friends as an active member of the Keene Senior Swingers. She took great pleasure in singing, and her beautiful voice remained until the end.

She is survived by her children, and their spouses: Derek Stone and his wife Linda of Keene; Brian Stone and his wife Deborah of Swanzey; Claudette Niemela and her husband Mark of Jaffrey; Kevin Stone and his wife Jeanne of Keene; Denise Mercure and her husband Jeffrey of Keene; Michelle Walters and her husband Rob of Swanzey; Ranae Wright and her partner Ty White of Swanzey, and Douglas Stone and his wife Amy of Antrim; a brother: Francis Bleau of Texas; five sisters: Pauline Germain of Texas, Leona Meleski of Ashuelot, Evelyn Warner of Keene, Claudette Fish of Keene and Janet Sausville of New York; as well as twenty-three grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by: her husband Frank “Buddy” Stone who died in 2006, and five siblings: Robert Bleau, Norman Bleau, Romeo Bleau, Juliet Hope and Gabrielle McGrath.

The Stone family would like to send a special thank you to the staff at Genesis Healthcare, the doctors, nurses and aides of the 3rd floor at the Cheshire Medical Center Darthmouth/ Hitchcock Keene, Deacon Arnold Gustafson and Anna Perkins for their love, kindness, and support during this difficult time.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held, at 10:00 AM, on Friday, August 2, 2013 at St. Bernard Catholic Church. Burial will follow at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery. Calling Hours will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 pm on Thursday evening, August 1, 2013 at the Fletcher Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family hopes that memorial donations, made in Shirley L. Stone’s honor, could be made to the Keene Senior Center (www.thekeeneseniorcenter.org), 70 Court St Keene, NH 0343, or to the National Kidney Foundation (www.kidney.org/Donate), Finance Department, 30 East 33rd St., New York, NY 10016.

Fletcher Funeral Home and Cremation Services (www.fletcherfuneralhome.com), 33 Marlboro St, Keene has been entrusted with the arrangements.