Stella M. Keresey

MYSTIC, CT - Stella M. (Breau) Keresey passed away peacefully with family by her side on Saturday December 19, 2020 at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London, CT.  Stella was born in Gardner, MA October 29, 1928 daughter of the late Evariste and Albina (Leger) Breau.  She attended Holy Rosary School and graduated Gardner High School with the Class of 1947.  After high school she was employed at Thayer Manufacturing where she met her future husband James.  She was also employed at Massachusetts Electric Company for over 20 years.Stella was a master pie and cookie baker offering her culinary delights to family, friends and neighbors. A voracious reader, particularly of James Patterson novels, she was frequently seen perusing the shelves and checking books in and out of the Gardner library. She was also an avid fan of her beloved Boston Red Sox – even before any of their World Series wins.  More importantly she was a devoted and supportive wife, mom and grandmother and a faithful parishioner at Sacred Heart Church (now Annunciation Parish). She is survived by her son Dennis and his wife Lisa of Palm Coast, FL and her daughter Nancy Phillips and her husband Robert of Ledyard, CT,  her granddaughters Christina Phillips Adkins and her husband Timothy of Reston, VA and Jacquelyn Phillips Kunhardt and her husband George of Bedford, NY, as well as, 3 great grandsons William “Bo” Adkins and George and James Kunhardt.  She is also survived by several nephews and nieces and her wonderful friends in the Temple Street neighborhood where she lived for over 60 years. She was predeceased by James, her loving husband of 63 years, her daughter Patricia, her brothers Ovila, Arthur and Joseph (Moe) Breau and her sister Theresa Dery. A celebration of Stella's life will be held in 2021 when it is safe for family and friends to gather. Donations in Stella's memory may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, c/o Annunciation Parish, 135 Nichols St., Gardner, MA  01440.Mack Family Funeral Home, 105 Central St., Gardner is directing arrangements.