Matilda “Tillie” (Dada) Stephens, 99, of West Roxbury died on April 14, 2011.
She had been residing in Maristhill Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Waltham, since March 2008.
Tillie was born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island on March 1, 1912, the daughter of Basil Dada & Margaret Daraney. She enjoyed singing in the church choir, local plays, & as a background singer on an Arabic record. At age 22, she became the beloved wife of Elias Stephens of Boston. She moved to Freeman Avenue in West Roxbury & remained happily married for 57 years until his death in April 1991.
She was the wonderful mother of Dolores Bezreh of Mansfield, MA, Priscilla Legault of Salem, MA, Robert L. Stephens of Littleton, MA, Mary Najjar of Acton, MA & Nancy Stephens of Maynard, MA. She was an active member of St John of Damascus Church & the Crusaders. Besides her four daughters & son, she is survived by her two sons-in-law, George Robert Bezreh and Joseph Najjar, and her eight grandchildren, Michelle Petruziello, Robert Mark Stephens, Andrea Mowad, Lisa Boone, Deborah Tsillas, Jennifer Drasser, Joseph Najjar III, & George Bezreh. She was blessed to have nineteen (19) great grandchildren. She is also survived by her only living sister, Alice Noury (96), of Central Falls, RI, and Maureen Andrew, the life partner of Nancy Stephens. The Stephens family wishes to recognize and thank the wonderful and caring personnel of Maristhill Nursing & Rehabilitation Center who cared for her these last three years.
Tillie's Funeral Service was held Tuesday April 19, 2011 at the Church of St. John of Damascus, 300 West Street, Dedham, MA, www.stjohnd.org. Donations can be made to the Church or to Maristhill Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 66 Newton Street, Waltham, MA 02453.
Interment Fairview Cemetery, Hyde Park.