Lois A Stearns

She was born in Adams, MA, April 4, 1924, the daughter of Fredrick C. and Gertrude (Blatchford) Stearns. She moved to Keene, NH, with her family in 1930 and attended Keene schools through 11th grade and attended the former Northfield School for Girls in Northfield, MA. She graduated from Columbia Presbyterian School of Nursing in 1947 with a bachelor of science in nursing and from Keene State College with a master of education in 1971. She was a nursing instructor at Cheshire Hospital School of Nursing (formerly Elliot Community Hospital School of Nursing) for 15 years until it closed in 1985. During the 1950’s she worked in the Registrar’s Office for the University of Maryland Overseas Program in Heidelberg, Germany and enjoyed traveling throughout Europe.

She was a long time member of the Keene Unitarian Universalist Church, served on the Board of Trustees, organized the Women's Evening Group, and was a long time member of the choir. She was a member of The Keene Chorale since 1985 and had served on the Board of Directors.

Lois’ passion was listening to opera and classical music and attending concerts. She was an avid reader and belonged to the Westmoreland Library Book Club. She was a talented seamstress and enjoyed quilting, knitting, needlepoint , braiding rugs, and caning chairs. She especially enjoyed playing bridge with friends.

Survivors include her nephews, Jonathin Couse of Virginia Beach, VA, Tobias Couse of Anchorage, Alaska, Daniel Couse of Tillson, NY, Timothy Francis of Silver Springs, MD, and Alexander Francis of Blooming Grove, NY. Her sister, Janet Eisenhauer, and niece, Jennifer Feiertag, died earlier. Her brother, F. Allen Stearns, died in World War II.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Keene Unitarian Universalist Church, 69 Washington Street, Keene, NH, on Saturday, April 11 at 1 p.m. Burial will be held in the spring in the Mt. Feake Cemetery, Waltham, MA. There will be no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in her memory to the Keene Unitarian Universalist Church, 69 Washington Street, Keene, NH, 03431.