Stella T. Baye

MERIDEN, Conn. — Stella Theresa Baye, 90, of Meriden, formerly of Northampton, Mass., passed away peacefully on Aug. 25, 2008, at MidState Medical Center, Meriden.

Born in Hatfield, Mass., on April 8, 1918, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Mary (Kwiecen) Mieleszko. Mrs. Baye lived in Northampton most of her life.

A devoted wife and mother, Mrs. Baye ran the Baye family farm with her husband, the late Peter J. Baye, for 45 years. She served on the Williams Street School committee and loved animals, especially cats. She enjoyed gardening, decorating, painting, cooking, reading and quilting.

In the later years, she and her husband enjoyed exploring cities and farms throughout the world. She was always seen with a smile on her face. She was happiest taking care of her family and especially loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by all who had the opportunity to know her and share her life.

Mrs. Baye is survived by two sons, Peter Baye and his wife, Debbie of Northampton, Mass., and Gregory Baye and his wife, Brenda of Wallingford; three daughters, Susan Baye of San Diego, Calif., Althea Green and her husband, Jesse of Hyannis, and Francesca Caliri and her husband, Michael of Orleans; two sisters, Vera Szumowski and her husband, Tom of Easthampton, Mass., and Jan Kelly and her husband, Raymond; two brothers, Frank Mieleszko of Hatfield, Mass., and Joseph Mieleszko and his wife, Sophie of North Hatfield, Mass. Mrs. Baye also leaves eight grandchildren, Anthony, Gregory, Christie, and Mariah Baye, Todd Green and his wife, Elizabeth, Victoria Gribbell and her husband, Jim, and Rachel and Hannah Caliri; five great-grandchildren, Colton Baye, Savannah and Isabella Green, Wakeman and Hadley Gribbell; and many nieces and nephews, all of whom she so cherished. She was predeceased by two sisters, Blanche LeDoux of Manchester, and Emiley Punska of Northampton, Mass.

Her family will receive relatives and friends in The Wallingford Funeral Home, 809 N. Main St. Ext., Wallingford, CT, 06492, on Saturday, from 10 to 11:15 a.m. A funeral service will be held in The Wallingford Funeral Home, on Saturday, at 11:30 a.m. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be to the Humane Society, 54 Oregon Road, Meriden, CT 06451, or www.wallingfordfh.com.