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Obituaries » BEATRICE V. STEM (CILLEY)

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November 21, 2013

Burial Date November 25, 2013

Funeral Home Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel

Place of Service Worcester County Memorial Park

Section Garden of Valor I Lot Number: 232Grave Number: A#4

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     Beatrice V. “Bette” (Cilley) Stem, 83, a longtime resident of Shrewsbury passed away peacefully Thursday, November 21st 2013 with her much loved family gathered beside her.

     Bette a sweet devoted mother and grandmother, who cherished her family was born in Danville, Vermont, one of six children of Norman and Florence (Perham) Cilley. As a young girl, Bette and her family moved to Barre where she grew up and graduated from Barre High School. She then entered the Nursing program of the Memorial Hospital School of Nursing with her best friend. One night her friend asked her to go on a blind date where she immediately fell in Love with a young sailor, Walter C. “Pete” Stem Sr. They dated, talked for hours and married in 1951. They spent the next 33 years loving and raising their family, building a new home in Shrewsbury until Walter passed away in 1984. Bette then continued to live in the family home they built with her daughter Cindi. Bette also found the time to care for others while raising her family by working as a Registered Nurse for over 44 years for the Memorial Hospital before retiring. She also became active in the Activities Committee and Memorial Employes Association.

     Bette is survived by her large devoted and loved family; Cynthia “Cindi” Stem with whom she lived, LT Col Walter C. “Chuck” Stem, Jr USAF (ret) and his wife Debra of Panama City Beach, Florida, Karen Kurtyka and her husband Ken of Greenfield; her four siblings, Norman Cilley of Auburndale, Florida, Donald Cilley of Cheshire Ct, Paul Cilley and Mildred “Dolly” Bacon both of Barre; five grandchildren who were the apples of her eye, Kristyn, Jeffery, Bryan and his wife Jessica, Kane, Kyle and Christopher; Nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Besides her husband and parents; Bette was also pre deceased by her brother William.

     Bette was an active member and attendee of the Mt Olivet Lutheran Church in Shrewsbury, a co-founder and past treasurer of its Ecumenical Council. A former Girl Scout Troop Leader and member of Women against Domestic Violence. Walter and Beatrice loved to square dance; they were extremely active with the Worcester Area Square dancers and in 1984, co-chaired the Worcester Dancers Convention. Though all her activities and interest nothing was more pleasing to her than her family. Her husband, children and grandchildren were what made her smile and inspired. Just having them around her at the holidays or family special moments is what pleased her most. No gathering got started without “Grammie”.

     Friends and relatives are invited to visit with the Stem family Sunday, November 24th from 4 pm to 7 pm in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St. Her funeral service will be celebrated at 10:00 am in Mt Olivet Lutheran Church, 1 Prospect St. Shrewsbury. Burial will be in Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton. In lieu of flowers memorial donations in Bette’s name can be made to the Mt Olivet Church, Prospect St Shrewsbury or the Memorial Hospital School of Nursing Alumni, care of Pam, 18 Eastford Rd, Auburn Mass 01501. Bette’s children and grandchildren would like to especially thank her caregiver Sue, for caring for Bette in such a special way when they were not able to.

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