Evelyn Grace Stewart

Evelyn "Evy" Grace Stewart (Stockton), 81, died unexpectedly at her home on July 17, 2024. Evy was a longtime resident of Annisquam, Massachusetts. She very much loved the community and the home she made there. Evy was born September 30, 1942, the eldest daughter of Elizabeth Farley Stockton and Charles Head Stockton. The family eventually grew to include four other siblings, elder brother Phillip and three younger sisters, Elizabeth, Nina, and Mary. Her childhood home was a beautiful apple farm in Sherborn, Massachusetts, where she grew up surrounded by nature, family, friends, and animals. Her family spent many summers on Martha's Vineyard, a place her parents eventually moved. The Vineyard became, and has remained, a special place both for her and her siblings. As their families grew it was the same delightful island for the next generation. Evy's childhood with her brother and three sisters can only be described as a bit naughty and frequently exciting, to which a string of babysitters and nannies could attest. There are many stories of the Stockton children's exploits. These stories have been told and retold around the table until they've become family legend. Evy was a great curator of both the family history and of the many stories that inform it. When these tales are told, there is always laughter and a new detail revealed. Evy's laughter often interrupted a good family yarn and preceded a detail she was recalling. It was sort of a funny foreshadowing and the mark of a good story.

Evy attended the Charles River School in her early years, followed by The Winsor School, then on to the Madeira School in Virginia. In 1965 she graduated from Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts. At all these schools she made bonds of friendship and love that lasted throughout her years. After graduating from college, she began work with the Theatre Company of Boston, and later with the Rockport Playhouse. Evy enjoyed, supported, and participated in theatre and the arts her entire life. She was introduced to both Cape Ann and to her future husband, Geoffrey H. Richon, while working with the Theatre Company of Boston. After their marriage in 1966, the young couple moved to Essex, Massachusetts, where they began a family. They had two sons, Nicholas and a few years later, Tobias. Their home in Essex was surrounded by woods, fields, ponds, and of course, filled with many animals they all adored. There were other children too, with many nieces and nephews frequently running about. Evy's family remained closely connected, all lived nearby, and had children of their own. A pack of these cousins was common and keenly attuned to the family tradition of naughtiness and mischief.

During this time, while her boys grew, Evy was also busy developing her abundant creativity and artistic talent. She worked in ceramics, with paints, and created sculpture using both. She spent years actively involved with the Radcliffe Pottery Studio in Cambridge all the while building a studio of her own at home. Both of her boys remember trips to the busy city of Cambridge, tagging along with their mom. She remained connected to Radcliffe long after her own space at home was completed, as, like at school and in life, she had made bonds and friendships that endure.

Evy loved her family immensely and maybe equally her friends and her community. She was almost always the host of gatherings whether for holidays or for the ones that happened for no reason at all. They were wonderful times and there was often room made to seat eighteen even though the table only sat twelve and had been set just for eight. There was always room at Evy's table. The most traditional gathering was on Christmas Eve which was attended and eagerly anticipated by a whole generation of cousins and friends. Santa himself made it a regular stop on his travels for many years, at least until the children were all college aged. His attendance speaks volumes to the warmth and the quality of those nights.

In 1995 Evy moved from Essex to Gloucester. The village of Annisquam welcomed her, and she quickly made her home there. She brought her creativity, her pottery, all her art, and most importantly, her true generosity of spirit and laughter. She was an active member of the Annisquam Village Church, sang in the church choir, and for many years performed with the Annisquam Village Players. Evy was also a longtime member of Chorus North Shore. She made deep connections with and within all these communities. She loved them deeply and contributed much with her time, her artistic talents, her song, and with her friendship. Evy had many dear friends and will be missed acutely by them all.

Evy was pre-deceased by both her parents, her brother Philip Stockton, sister Nina Stockton, granddaughter Anna G. Jelmberg and many much-loved pets. Evy is survived by her sisters Elizabeth Otis and Mary Mosley, former husband Geoffrey H. Richon, son Nicholas H. Richon and his wife Carol Hong Richon, their children Jaita, Navjeet, and Otto, son Tobias S. Richon and his partner Toshi J. Jelmberg, numerous nieces and nephews, and, of course, her dog Teo. Evy also leaves behind numerous friends and her community. All are saddened by her passing and will mourn this loss but also celebrate her life and the love she offered. Evy's long standing practice of meditation weaves together many of the threads of her time here. Those moments she took for herself, for calm, are the moments she would most want to share with us now.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Evelyn's name to The Annisquam Village Church, The Annisquam Village Players, or The Cape Ann Animal Aid.

Details for a service and celebration of Evy's life to follow.