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Obituary for Wanda Vance

WELLS ME. Wanda Vance, 83, a resident of Wells, died Saturday November 1, 2014 at the Beaumont Nursing Home in Northbridge, MA after a period of failing health.

Wanda was born January 26, 1931 in Westfield MA, and was raised by her foster parents James and Johannah Stapleton, in Saxonville, MA., a village of Framingham. It was her foster mother and sister that Wanda’s children knew as Nana and Aunt Mary. Her foster father had passed at an early age.

She was employed for many years with New England Telephone Company also known as “Ma Bell” – This name was given to the company by its employees as it was a different time and there existed a different zeitgeist in the country - job security was prevalent and so long as one did their job, “Ma” would take care of you. She began her career as a telephone operator and retired as a manager, traveling throughout New England, though primarily working in the greater Boston area. She was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America, a volunteer organization of telephone company employees. She retired in 1982.

She married Martin Stefanik in 1955. She and Martin had five children, James, Mary, Ellen, Thomas & Robert. Martin and Wanda divorced in 1974. She then married her second husband, Gale L. Vance.

The family had spent many years summering in Wells, ME and she moved to Wells in 1982 after retiring from the telephone company.

She was a member of Holy Spirit Parish, St. Mary’s Church in Wells, where she was a part of the Ladies Sodality.

She showed an unconditional love for her children, grandchildren, and family, helping them in any way she could. She enjoyed listening to Celtic music, watching historical programs and reading novels.

She is predeceased by her son James Stefanik, who died in 2013, her foster sister Mary Stapleton, whom died in 1999 and her second husband, Gale, whom died in 1987 and her brother George Bradley. Martin died in 2000.

She is survived by two sons Thomas Stefanik of Pittsfield, NH and Robert Stefanik of Swampscott, MA; two daughters Mary Howarth of Blackstone, MA, and Ellen McKinnon of Whitinsville, MA; daughter-in-law Lisa Stefanik of Wells, ME; her two sisters, Marcia Bachard of Dudley, MA and Rita Wissel of Rindge, NH; two brothers, Leon Bradley of Texas and George Bradley of Philadelphia; her grandsons, Brian and Adam Howarth of Blackstone MA; Craig and Sean McKinnon of Whitinsville MA; Colby Stefanik and Christian Robinson of Pittsfield NH; Michael Stefanik of Wells; her granddaughters, Heather & Jessica McKinnon of Whitinsville, MA and Sarah Stefanik of Wells and a great grandson, Caden Howarth of Blackstone, MA., as well as many nieces and nephews.

A memorial mass will be held 11AM Saturday, November 15, 2014 at St. Mary’s Church, Eldridge Rd. Wells. Interment will follow in Vance Family Cemetery, Wells.

Should friends desire, memorial donations may be made to the personal charity of one’s choice in Wanda’s name.



Arrangements are in care of Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 111 Chapel Rd. Wells.
www.bibberfuneral.com




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