Evelyn L. Stinson

FARMINGTON -- Evelyn L. Stinson, 96, of Wilton, passed away early Friday morning, April 22, 2011, at Sandy River Care Center in Farmington, where she had been a resident for the past three years.

Born Sept. 25, 1914, the daughter of Nelson and Olive Gilman in Wellington, she came to Wilton in 1924 when she was adopted by Otis and Gertrude Lincoln at the age of 9 years old. She graduated from Wilton Academy in the class of 1933.

In 1937, she married Cecil B. Cox. They raised four children.

Evelyn liked people, music, flowers and the birds in her back yard. She enjoyed sewing clothes for her children, knitting and doing handiwork. Many summers were spent at Porter Lake at the family camp as the children grew up. She loved her family dearly and had many longtime close friends. In later years, her cat, Tabby, was her constant loving companion. Tabby was always at her side.

For many years, she operated a poultry business. In 1962, she met and married Howard A. Stinson of East Wilton. They built the Livermore Falls Roller Rink in 1966 and operated it for more than 12 years.

She was a lifetime member of the First Congregational Church in Wilton. She was an honorary member of the Order of Eastern Star in Wilton, and she was a past worthy matron of the Order of Eastern Star 1938-1939. At the time, she was the youngest worthy matron the Order had ever had. Evelyn was also a member of the Wilton Day Extension of Franklin County for 55 years, past president and member of the Wiltona Club, GFWC. She was historian and honorary member of the Wiltona Club. Also, she was a member of the Wilton Historical Society and a longtime member of the Thimble Club. For a short time, she was a co-leader of a Wilton Girl Scout troop.

In her later years, she attended Senior Plus where she enjoyed meals, entertainment and the companionship of her friends. Several winters she spent time in Venice, Fla., and enjoyed the activities at Country Club Estates. She enjoyed the many activities at Country Club Estates and always marveled at the lights across the water at a dear friend's house.

She is survived by her daughters, Sandra Starbird, and her husband, Ted Dyke, of Wilton, and Nancy Morris and her husband, Malcolm "Mac" Morris, of Livermore Falls and Venice, Fla.; a son, Bertron Cox, and his wife, Gail, of Scarborough; one sister, Miriam Potter Wilbur, and her husband, Ray, of Readfield and Englewood, Fla.; two brothers, Nelson Gilman of Clyde, N.C., and Harland Varney and his wife, Joanne, of Vienna; seven grandchildren, Deb Anderson of Salem, N.H., Earl Young of Livermore, Cathy Smith of Rose Hill, Kan., Carrie Barnes of Jay, Tony Cox and Lauri Russo of Portland, and Jeff Cox of Standish. She also is survived by many great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by four brothers, Jonathan Gilman, Carl Gilman, Otis Gilman and Donald Varney; three sisters, Inez Greenwood, Catherine Cain and Gertrude Spearin; her husband, Howard A. Stinson, in 1987; a daughter, Irene "Renie" Cox, in 2004, and a grandson, Charles "Chuck" Greeley, on April 19, 2008.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, April 25, 2011, at Wiles Remembrance Center, 136 High St., Wilton. Family and friends are invited to call one hour prior to the service. Interment will occur later in the spring at the Lakeview Cemetery in Wilton. Gifts may be given in her memory to the Sandy River Resident Council, c/o Sandy River Care Center, 119 Livermore Falls Road, Farmington, ME 04938.

Words of condolence and tribute may be shared with Evelyn's family at www.wilesrc.com.