Stella J. McBeth

Stella J. (Bonarrigo) McBeth, age 97, of Stoneham, MA, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 7, 2025—a beloved mother, grandmother, aunt, neighbor, and friend. Known affectionately as “Nana” to her cherished grandchildren, she brought warmth, joy and happiness to all who knew her. Her humor, her laugh and her sharp memory remained with her, as well as living independently through her final days. She also was the beloved wife of the late William McBeth for over 61 years.

She is survived by her loving daughters Jean Vasques of Stoneham and Carole Sullivan of Hampton, NH. She was also a loving grandmother to Christopher Vasques, Sabrinna Bethoney and her husband Sean Bethoney, Nicholas Vasques-Samsonov and his husband Denis Vasques-Samsonov, Jennifer Campagna and her fiancé Brian Foley, and Emily Clark. And she was the beloved great grandmother to Lilliana Bethoney.

Born in Boston, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Catherine (Celi). She was predeceased by nine siblings, Catherine, Cosma, Frank, Steve, Leo, Mae, Sam, Joe (her twin), and Betty. She is also survived by many cherished nieces, nephews and their families.

She was a proud graduate of the Class of 1945 from Hyde Park High School in Boston. She worked for the Statler Hilton in Boston in her early years and married William McBeth on June 24, 1951, and then moved to Stoneham, MA where she fell in love with living in the suburbs and remained a resident for over 70 years.

Stella worked several years at the Star Market Company in Stoneham, MA, and once they merged with Shaw’s Super Market, she eventually retired from their Reading, MA, location after working a total of 35 years for them.

She enjoyed quilting, sewing, cooking, and especially sitting in her sun porch, listening to her favorite music on the radio, whether it was John Denver or Frank Sinatra. Stella loved going on her many trips and cruises with her church group throughout the years. She also loved going to Hampton Beach and to Wells, Maine.

In her later years, Stella was content staying home, reading her many books she would get from the library, doing puzzles and getting her People Magazine delivered each week where she diligently finished the crossword puzzle as soon as she could, and she never peeked at the answers!

Stella was known for her kindness, strength, resilience, and unwavering devotion to her family. She loved her family most of all…whether it was just sitting around chatting, watching her favorite Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy games shows, or celebrating a big milestone in one of her grandchildren’s lives, she was always there for everyone.

Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Patrick Church, 71 Central Street, Stoneham on Tuesday, July 15 at 10:00. Visitation for relatives and friends will be held at the McDonald-Finnegan-Anderson Funeral Home, 322 Main Street, Stoneham prior to Mass from 8:30-9:30 a.m. Interment, St. Patrick Cemetery, Stoneham.