Stella Blanche Brown

BROWN, Stella Blanche

It is with heavy heart, the family announces the passing of Stella Blanche Brown (nee Ricketts) on Saturday, January 21, 2023, in her 98th year, at the Orillia Soldiers Memorial Hospital, Orillia, Ontario. 

Stella was born to Moulton Julian Ricketts of Westport, White Bay, Newfoundland and Gladys Osmond of Valleyfield, Bonavista Bay, Newfoundland on June 28, 1925.

Stella married Malcolm Brown of Trinity, Bonavista Bay on May 18, 1948, and together they raised 3 daughters. She taught school in Brown’s Cove & Purbeck’s Cove in White Bay, and later in Trinity, Bonavista Bay and Tilt Cove, Green Bay, before moving to Scarborough, Ontario with her family, in 1960. Stella retired from the Ontario Government in 1987 and resided in Peterborough, Ontario from 1991 until 2014, when she moved to the Leacock Retirement Lodge in Orillia, Ontario.   

She enjoyed many active years of retirement, engaging in countless activities.  She loved travelling, gardening, making crafts, knitting, crosswords and playing any kind of games. She played cards every night with her husband, Malcolm.  When he passed away in 2011, she truly missed that companionship. 

In 2011 she discovered the Internet and subsequently learned how to send emails.  She bought an iPad and began playing online scrabble, FaceTime, and Skype with her family & friends.

Predeceased by her husband – Malcolm Brown, and brothers – Thomas and Winston Ricketts. She leaves to mourn with fond and loving memories her 3 daughters –  Shirley Smith (Les), Marjorie Grant (Jim) & Yvonne Taylor (Don);  8 grandchildren –  Solveig, Tania, Jaime, Julie, Kristy, John, Robert, Jeff; 16 great-grandchildren – Christina, Christopher, Jonathan, Janissa, Brandon, Riley, Cameron, Caroline, Charles, Bradley, Malia, Kristen, Jack, Julie, Elizabeth and Malcolm; 5 great-great-grandchildren – Charlie, Ava, Hunter, Evander, & Clara;  2 sisters – Sarah Smedley & Margaret Clarke and a large circle of other loving family and friends.

Stella treasured her family and extended family, enjoying being around them all.  Her delightful smile and lovable laughter will be greatly missed.  

Cremation has taken place. The family has arranged a private family Celebration of Life with interment to take place later at St Alban’s Anglican Cemetery, Trinity, Bonavista Bay, Newfoundland.