Francesca J. Stoner Obituary (1922 - 2012)

Brunswick, Maine –Francesca J. Stoner, age 90, of Baribeau Drive, died Wednesday July 18 at Midcoast Senior Health Center. She was born in Mount Pleasant, Iowa March 25, 1922, the daughter of Harry Edwin Jaques and Ethel Benedict. As a young person, she helped illustrate the Pictured Key Nature Series, a set of guides created by her father. Francesca attended Iowa Weslyan College and Iowa State University before joining the workforce during World War II. She was married to Dr. Richard D. Stoner who died July 2, 1997. Francesca worked primarily as a homemaker but in her early years also worked at Eastern Airlines in Chicago, and later, at the Brookhaven Free Library on Long Island, NY. In 1950 she and her family moved to Long Island, NY, where she resided until moving to Maine in 1999. Her many hobbies included flower and vegetable gardening, reading, birding, cooking, and playing bridge. She converted a portion of her backyard to a large woodland wildflower garden that was her pride and joy. She enjoyed many summer and fall vacations in the Rangeley Lakes region of Maine, and collected antiques and children’s books. She was a longtime member of the Fireplace Literary Club and served on the Board of Directors of the Brookhaven Free Library. She supported many conservation and other organizations. Surviving is a daughter Tina Stoner of Salem, MA, and a son, Scott Stoner and his wife, Denise Hackert-Stoner of Loudonville, NY, two grandchildren and three great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her sisters Mabel and Martha, and brother Bill, and is survived by her sister Jean, along with many nieces and nephews. Memorial donations may be made in Francesca’s name to Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust, P.O. Box 249, Oquossoc, ME 04964. Her family would like to thank the staff of The Garden at Midcoast Senior Health Center for their wonderful care and support of both Francesca and her family. A celebration of her life will be held on Friday August 10, at from 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM in the Community Room of Midcoast Senior Health Center, 58 Baribeau Drive, Brunswick, Maine. All who knew her are welcome to stop in. Arrangements are by Stetson’s Funeral Home, 12 Federal St., Brunswick, where memorial condolences may be expressed at stetsonsfuneralhome.com