Gladys C. Stearns

Gladys (DeDe) C. Stearns, 92, of Marshall Drive, West Newbury, MA, passed away at Anna Jaques Hospital on Wednesday, June 12, 2019.

DeDe was born on May 22, 1927 in Boston, MA, daughter of the late William and Alice (Taylor) Stearns. She was proud of her South Boston upbringing, ready to sing “Southie’s My Home Town” at the mention of it. From stories she told of scrounging up pennies to buy “catpies” from the local bakery, to she and her friends trying to stay overnight on Castle Island, De embodied the fighting spirit and love of her hometown.

She worked at a variety of jobs over the years, some of which included the Boston Fish Pier, television repairperson and a Good Humor ice cream truck driver.   She finally found her place as an electronic technician at MA/COM in Burlington, MA, from which she retired after 30 years to care for her two grandchildren.

DeDe was the life of the party; she loved to sing and dance and was ready to show you how. She loved to meet new people, and could strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere. You often could find her at the West Newbury Food Mart, ready to ask you about your family and offer to help out with anything. She loved to work with her hands, from cars to plumbing to flooring, she was ready to fix anything. From offering rides to wherever you had to go, to fixing your bathroom sink, she was ready to offer her skills and knowledge with everyone. DeDe was always working on something but always found time to talk and give you her "two cents". She enjoyed bird watching, golfing, fixing up the house down the Cape and going for walks around town. She was everyone’s “Grandma De”.

She is survived by her dear friend Marie B. Sullivan; granddaughters, Kristen and Kimberly Young and their mother Jen Young; one brother Thomas Stearns of Bedford, MA; her niece Debra Collins, husband Thomas Collins, Jr. of Beverly; and nephews Barry T. Stearns, wife Roseann E. Feldeisen Stearns of Fitchburg, and Mark R. Stearns, wife Debra D. Stearns of Goffstown, NH. Grandniece and nephews: Nathan and Joshua Collins, Maggie Gagnon, Ian J, Stearns, Matthew R. Stearns. She also has four great grandnieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her sister-in-law Marion H. Stearns and grandnephew Corey J. Stearns.

Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, June 18, 2019 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., at the F. S. Roberts & Son Funeral Home, 14 Independent Street, Rowley.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 19, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at Saint Ann Church, 300 Main Street, West Newbury.  Burial will be private.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to St. Jude’s Research Hospital.  

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gladys C. Stearns, please visit our floral store.