Madeline "Lois" Stevens, 96, of Center Road in Goshen, NH passed away peacefully on May 2, 2024 at the Sullivan County Nursing Home surrounded by her family.  Lois was born in Boston, MA on October 20, 1927.  She was a lifelong resident of Goshen and attended the one room schoolhouse in town and graduated from Towle High School Class of 1945 in Newport.

Lois was an avid reader of historical novels and would often help plan the itinerary as she traveled from Maine to Florida with her husband Bill and son Kerry and his family. She also read many children's books to her grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren when they came to visit. It was the highlight of their day as they snuggled in for a story before bed.

She will always be known for her fried chicken, homemade rolls and fresh spring peas, milk and potatoes.  She could whip up a meal in no time and fill hungry bellies with comfort food like grilled cheese and tomato soup.

Her love of gardening often brought a bounty of vegetables to be canned and shared with family, friends and neighbors.  Beautiful flower gardens abounded around her home. Many would stop to admire her vegetable and perennial gardens as they passed by.  Her daughter in law always said she learned so much about amending soil and gardening from her.  They shared many years designing, planting and maintaining her garden beds. Her daughter Lissa spent countless hours taking her to the local greenhouses to find just the right color geranium and annuals for her window boxes and planters.

Her grandchildren have fond memories of her cutting newspaper clippings for them when they made the local newspaper and giving them mini photo albums of all their achievements, celebrations and family gatherings.  She always had her mini camera on hand to take pictures and record those memories.

She was a long-time member of the Goshen Community Church where she worked on the roast beef suppers in the parish hall, designed floral arrangements for the church altar, planted the garden beds outside and ensured there was food available for coffee hour after church.  Her faith was important to her and got her through some of the toughest things life can throw at you.  She loved to read her bible and listen to the Bill Gathier Trio on Sunday nights with her husband Bill.  She was like Mary Poppins with her purse during church services always having something to quiet a restless child.

She is survived by her three children, Bradley Stevens of Goshen, Lissa Hinkley of Claremont and Kerry Stevens of Croydon, thirteen grandchildren, twenty-three great grandchildren and eight great great grandchildren.  She was predeceased by her husband of 58 years, William "Bill" Stevens, son William "Shelly" Stevens, daughter, Bonnie Jo Russell, daughter, Judy Fowler and granddaughter, Jody Stevens.

A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at the Goshen Community Church in Goshen, NH on May 19th at 2PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Goshen Community Church in her honor.

"Life is never the same, once your mom is gone."