Laconia-Evelyn “Evy” (Stokes) Cormier, 88, of 406 Court Street, formerly of 97 Sheridan Street, died Friday morning, July 20, 2007 at St. Francis Healthcare Center after a courageous battle with cancer.
Evelyn was the daughter of the late Benjamin and Mary (Hughes) Stokes. A lifelong resident, she was born in Laconia on November 13, 1918 where she was raised and schooled, graduating from Sacred Heart School. Proudly and gratefully receiving a scholarship from Sacred Heart, she then attended the Sisters of the Assumption College in Nicollette, Canada for 2 years.
Evelyn was the owner and operator of the former Slim’s Restaurant & Catering in Lakeport for many years, which is now home to C.J. Avery’s Restaurant. She was also employed at the former Grant’s Department Store in Gilford as the assistant manager of the Bradford Room. Upon her retirement in 1984 Evelyn joined the foster grandparent’s program teaching at Woodland Heights School in Laconia. Fondly known as “The Mitten Lady”, she enjoyed knitting mittens for children throughout the area, and for students at Woodland Heights School. Due to her love for children and knitting, she was honored by several teachers in which they wrote a book about her appropriately titled, “A Lakes Region Good Neighbor”, which today is in the library at Woodland Heights School.
A very giving and devoted mother and grandmother, Evelyn also enjoyed her gardens immensely, from her flowers to her vegetables, canning many fruits of her labor every year.
Evelyn was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church.
Evelyn is predeceased by her husband, Roger Cormier in 1976, a brother Harold Stokes, and a sister Gladys Stokes.
Evelyn is survived by her five children, Lucien “Lou” Cormier of Bradenton, Florida, Lucille Perry of North Adams, Massachusetts, Arlene Blackey and Roger “Butch” Cormier both of Gilford, and Ronald Cormier of Laconia; one brother, Henry Stokes of Rocky Hill, Connecticut; one sister-in-law, Irene Stokes of Pismo Beach, California. 18 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews also survive Evelyn.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Tuesday, July 24, 2007 at Sacred Heart Church, 291 Union Avenue, Laconia at 9:00 a.m. Rev. Adrien R. Longchamps pastor of the church celebrated the mass. Burial followed in the family lot at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Garfield Street, Laconia. Visiting hours were Monday, July 23, 2007 from 2:00-4:00 & 6:00-8:00 pm at the Simoneau-Paquette Memorial Home, 139 Church Street, Laconia. Family and friends were invited to attend.
For those who wish, the family suggests expressions of sympathy in Evelyn’s name may be made to Saint Francis Healthcare Center Activity Fund, 406 Court Street, Laconia, NH 03246.