On Sunday, December 20, 2020, Stella Bernice Davies (Skene), loving wife of Maurice and mother to Darlene and Bryan, passed away at the age of 94.
Stella was born on February 20, 1926 in Oxdrift, ON to Charles and Lillian Skene. Stella grew up on the farm in Oxdrift with her siblings, family, and friends. Stella moved to Dryden and worked at several local businesses including the Central Hotel and Pitt’s Grocers. After attending night school and learning how to type Stella became the switchboard operator and receptionist at The Mill until her retirement in 1991. Stella once wrote that she loved every day of her 32 years there.
Stella was married to Maurice Henry Davies in 1946. They met at a dance when Stella was 16 and they dated for 5 years before tying the knot. Maurice and Stella had two children, Darlene (Michael) Furlong and Bryan (Susan) Davies.
Stella loved outdoor activities including fishing, hunting, curling, camping, and golfing. She loved playing cards, dancing, music, singing, cooking, shopping, and traveling. Meal time with her family was when she was the happiest. A cup of tea and the dining room table at Stella’s house was known for solving all of the world’s problems. Stella authored two Canadian Best Selling cookbooks and recently co-authored a third with her granddaughter (Andrea Minor). Stella was known across the region for her cooking and baking and could always be found working in her kitchen.
Stella enjoyed a full life bringing joy and laughter to all whom she encountered. Whether it was writing cook books, baking pies, or telling jokes Stella had a way of brightening everyone’s day. She was always optimistic and would frequently say, “your day will follow the corners of your mouth”, as she encouraged you to be your best. She had a wonderful way of seeing the best in a difficult situation and was always known as the person who had the answer to everything.
Family meant everything to Stella and she meant everything to them. Whether she was journaling with Jen, travelling and shopping with Seona, fishing with Jamie, or cooking with Andrea, she was “the rock” of the family with a heart of gold. She was deeply loved and will be greatly missed.
Stella was predeceased by her parents, and brothers Irvin and Ted, sister, Rena, brothers-in-law Doug Fotheringham, Gord Hatch, and Bill Blair, sisters-in-law Ena Skene and Eva Skene. Stella is survived by her sisters, Joan Hatch and Fran Blair, children, Darlene (Michael) Furlong, Bryan (Susan) Davies, grandchildren, Andrea (Doug) Minor, Seona (Adam) Furlong, Jennifer (Mike) Davies, Jamie (Stacie) Davies, also treasured great grandchildren Morgan, Chase, Maddie, Teo, and Austyn… along with too many friends, cousins and relatives to mention.
A Memorial Funeral Service is to take place in July of 2021 pending COVID 19 restrictions.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made DRHC Foundation or United Church Building Fund through Stevens Funeral Homes, P.O. Box 412, Dryden P8N 2Z1. Condolences may be posted on Stevens Funeral Homes Facebook page or at www.stevensfuneralhomes.ca.
