Evelyn Stelma

NEW BRITAIN

Evelyn Stelma, 100 years young, passed away peacefully as she slept, on May 13, 2024, at Farmington Station Senior Living. She was the loving Wife of Walter John Stelma for 46 years . Evelyn was born on March 9, 1924, in New Britain, CT to the late Heinrich Yauck and Louise Zenz Yauck. She graduated from New Britain High School in 1942 and went on to work as a timekeeper for Landers Frary, & Clark, a houseware company in New Britain. While working there, Evelyn met her husband, Walter, and they married in 1946. The couple had two sons, John and Walter, and Evelyn was fortunate enough to be able to stay home, where she devoted her time to raising their boys and keeping a warm, welcoming home. Evelyn was a woman of strong faith and was a longtime parishioner of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Plainville, where she taught fifth-grade religious education. An avid outdoor enthusiast, she loved taking in the beauty of a State Park with her family, where they enjoyed hiking, walking, and having picnics. She was a wonderful cook who always made her food from scratch. She loved to prepare meals for her large family, especially during the Holiday season, baking her family's favorite treats for their gatherings. She truly embodied her life mantra- "it's all about family ". Evelyn will be remembered for her loving and kind-hearted nature, her willingness to give without ever asking for anything in return and encouraging and uplifting others. She will be greatly missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing her. Left to cherish Evelyn's memory are her two sons, Walter Stelma and Joanne Stelma of Harwich, MA, John Stelma of South Windsor Ct, five grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren, one sister Wilma Carreras of Bristol Ct, two nieces, Karen Hubbard and Carleen Mabry, two nephews, Henry and Richard Zorn. In addition to her husband Walter, Evelyn is preceded in death by Erwin Yauck, brother and Eleanor Zorn, sister. Funeral liturgy will be celebrated on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, 19 S Canal St, Plainville. A visitation will be held in the gathering space at the church from 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m., immediately before mass. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Plainville. The family respectfully requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made in Evelyn's name to Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, 19 S. Canal St., Plainville, CT, 06062. The Bailey Funeral Home of Plainville has the honor of handling Evelyn's final arrangements. For directions, or to leave an expression of sympathy, please visit www.bailey-funeralhome.com.

Evelyn Stelma