Eileen B. Stokes

Eileen B. (Brosnan) Stokes, 75, of Wellesley passed away from cancer on April 18, 2021 with loved ones by her side. She was born to the late James and Dorothy Brosnan, January 22, 1946 in Worcester, MA. She graduated from Notre Dame Academy in Worcester in 1963 and Emmanuel College in 1967 with a B.A. in Sociology, Education and Psychology. Ever the teacher and student, she then earned a M.A. in Childrens Literature from Simmons College in 1999. Eileen married her beloved husband, James C. Stokes, Jr., by whom she is survived, in September of 1968. They honeymooned by driving across the country to where, as a Marine fighter pilot, Jim was stationed in Laguna Beach, CA. Not long after, he was off to Vietnam during which they communicated via letter and recordings on cassette tapes, while she returned to Massachusetts and resumed her role as an excellent teacher. It was fitting that their song was Peter, Paul and Marys "Leaving on a Jet Plane." Their loving, model partnership continued as they lived together in Okinawa, Japan; Honolulu, Hawaii; Newton, MA; London, UK; and, ultimately, for over three decades, Wellesley, MA. Eileen was a substitute teacher in Honolulu public schools and the American School in London before becoming an adored teacher of 5th grade for many years at the Tenacre School and The Chestnut Hill School. In 1997 she joined the Adjunct Clinical Faculty at Boston College, Lynch School of Education where she was a cherished mentor, colleague and teacher to many. Eileen was an incredibly loving mother and is survived by three children: Erin S. Majernik and her husband Craig of Wellesley; Michael C. Stokes and his wife Kim of Wellesley; and Courtney D. S. Willett and her husband Dave of Needham. She was a devoted grandmother, or Grammy, and is survived by Emma, Madie, Sophie, Tyler, Colin, Parker, Charlotte, and Wesley. She is also survived by her sister Anne Heffernan and husband Kent of Barnstable, MA and her brother Jim Brosnan and wife Maureen of Ocala, FL, and by several cherished nieces and nephews. Eileen was an avid reader of newspapers and classic British mysteries, and she was always willing and wanting to share a book and help teach a grandchild to read, to go for a walk outdoors with Jim or a friend, and to cheer her children or grandchildren on from the sidelines of a sporting event. She was ever selfless, exuded kindness and goodwill on a daily basis, and believed that people should be charitable, a trait that she and Jim personified throughout their more than 53 years together. Ultimately, she loved her family, her friends, and her dogs over the years and, up until the end, she would often repeat the phrase: "all good things." Visiting hours at the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 477 Washington St. (Rt.16) WELLESLEY, Friday, April 23 from 4-7pm. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Funeral Mass in St. John the Evangelist Church, Wellesley Hills, Saturday, April 24 at 10am. Due to Covid restrictions seating is limited to 110 people and the Mass will be live streamed on the church website at sjspwellesley.org. Interment in Woodlawn Cemetery, Wellesley. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in support of the Cure Alzheimers Fund, the Steppingstone Foundation or Voices of the Faithful. Online guestbook at gfdoherty.com.