Stella Neville Rocheleau

Stella Neville Rocheleau, age 87, passed away on March 7, 2018 with her loving family by her side.  Stella was born in Venise-en-Québec on August 4, 1930. She was the daughter of the late Earl Neville and the late Eva McGee Neville. Stella graduated from high school in Bedford, Quebec in 1948 and from Notre-Dame Secretarial College in 1949. Upon graduating, Stella worked for the Aluminum Company of Montreal. From 1951 to 1957, Stella worked as personal secretary to the president of Holt Renfrew in Montreal, and as a model and personal shopper there. 

In 1955, Stella met the man who would become her partner for life, André (Andy) Rocheleau of Swanton, VT. On May 25, 1957, they were married at St. Kevin’s Catholic Church in Montreal. In 2017, they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary together. 

Stella and André settled in White River Junction, Vermont, for close to 40 years where André coowned Hartford Motors, an International Truck and Chrysler dealership, with his partner Peter Y. Flanagan. Stella worked as the assistant for the Dean of Freshmen at Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH until they started their family.

Stella was active in her family, church and community. Her calendar was always full as she traveled to proudly support her children and grandchildren at sporting events, graduations and other activities. She especially enjoyed the tradition of Sunday dinner with her family gathered around her table. Stella actively participated as a parishioner of St. Anthony’s parish in White River Junction. She also volunteered at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center where she first helped manage the hospital gift shop and gift cart, and later cuddled infants with her gentleness and love. She was an oasis of grace and serenity for all who knew her. 

 In 1994, André and Stella moved to St. Albans, VT, where they spent their summers entertaining family and friends at their home on Lake Champlain. In 1996, they made Naples, Florida, their permanent residence and winter home. Stella never missed the chance to share the joy of watching wildlife or a beautiful sunset. 

Stella was an avid skier, golfer and tennis player. In Florida, she was a member of the Red Hat Society and also generously volunteered her time teaching children in migrant farm communities and working at the Bentley Village thrift shop.

Stella is survived by her loving husband, André, and by her family including son Dale Rocheleau and his wife Michelle of Colchester, VT; granddaughter Simonne (Rocheleau) Morin and her husband Charles Morin of Medford, MA; granddaughter Nicole Stella Rocheleau and grandson Ryan Rocheleau of Colchester, VT; son David Rocheleau and granddaughter Emma Rocheleau of Lexington, SC; daughter Patricia (Tricia) Harper and her husband Michael Harper of Waterbury, VT; granddaughter Lauren Stella Harper and grandson Liam Harper of Waterbury, VT; step granddaughter Katherine Harper of Savannah, GA; son Michael Rocheleau and his wife Cindy of Georgia, VT; and grandson Tristin Rocheleau of Georgia, VT.  Stella is also survived by her sister, Robina MacIsaac of Ottawa, Ontario, wife of the late Neil MacIsaac; brother-in-law Roland Rocheleau and wife, Marie; sister-in-law Irene Casey, wife of the late Kenneth Casey; Edna Casey and husband Mark; and Yvonne Fradet, wife of the late Victor Fradet, all of Florida. Stella was predeceased by her brother D’Arcy Neville and wife Kathleen (Kay) of Philipsburg, QC; brother Edward Neville and wife Aurore of Chateauguay, QC; and sister-in-law Janet Forsyth, late wife of Thomas Forsyth of Swanton, VT.  Many special nieces and nephews, whom Stella adored, as well as very dear friends Mary EllenFlanagan and Bonnie Briggs of White River Junction, VT, and Margaret Wilmott of Naples, FL, also survive Stella.

A memorial celebration of Stella’s life will be held at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, March 21st in the East Clubhouse at Vi at Bentley Village in Naples, FL. A funeral mass for Stella will be celebrated in June at St. Anthony’s Roman Catholic Church in White River Junction, VT with burial following at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Wilder, VT. 

For several years Stella volunteered her time for the American Cancer Society’s Daffodil Days Hope by the Bunch program.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Stella's name to the American Cancer Society, New England Division, 55 Day Lane, Williston, VT 05495.  To offer private condolences, please visit www.fullernaples.com.