Estella M. Edwards

COLEBROOK – Estella 'Stella' M. Edwards, 78, of Colebrook, died peacefully at her home on Tuesday, Aug. 26,2025, with her husband at her side and after a prolonged period of declining health. She was born in W. Stewartstown on Jan. 15, 1947, a daughter to the late Wendell and Marjorie (Drew) Haynes. Stella attended local schools and was a 1965 graduate of Colebrook Academy with 3rd honors in her class. She married Berkley Edwards right out of high school and they began to raise their family. For a few years while her children were young, Stella was a dedicated homemaker and mother, also taking in other children to look after. She also worked for a time at the First National Bank. But she will be remembered by generations of local students as the matriarch of Colebrook Academy where she worked as the secretary to the principal for 38 years, and from which she retired in 2017. Stella was also an accomplished quilter, and more than 100 quilts were given by her as gifts to her former students, all of which now have great value to them. She was a wonderful cook, and she loved to be at the family camp on Diamond Pond. Stella's greatest treasure was her family and her faith. She will be lovingly remembered by all who knew and loved her. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Berkley Edwards of Colebrook; her three children, Kathy (Peter) Hammen of Chichester, N.H., Kevin (Doris) Edwards of Summerfield, N.C., and Kimberly (Mark) Durgin of Rumney, N.H.; her extended family as close as her own children to her, Sandra Adams of Colebrook, Patricia (Calvin) Cross of Stark, N.H., and Thony Haynes of Colebrook and his two daughters, Kianna and Caitlin of Las Vegas, NV; 3 grandchildren, Brianna (Jed) Aubertin, Benjamin (Katharine) Durgin, and Lydia Cross; two great-grandchildren, Paisley and Raegan; and a brother, Haven (Elaine) Haynes, Sr., of Colebrook; as well as nieces, nephews and cousins. She is predeceased by a brother, R. Keith Haynes in 1972. Calling hours will be held on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home in Colebrook, with a graveside service the next morning, Fri., Sept. 5, at 11 a.m. in the Colebrook Village Cemetery. A reception will follow in the fellowship hall of the Monadnock Congregational Church in Colebrook. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Stella may be made to the North Country Home Health & Hospice, 536 Cottage St., Littleton, NH 03561; or to the Colebrook Booster Club, P.O. Box 352, Colebrook, NH 03576. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home in Colebrook.