Memorials: Remembering those who have passed

The friendship and hard work of our recently deceased members are sorely missed.

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Barbara Stenning   1928-2020

Barbara June Stenning, a direct descendent of Captain John Luther who arrived in America in 1630, died peacefully at home on November 23, 2020. Married on June 28, 1952, she was the wife of Gordon J. Stenning. Born August 12, 1928, in Johnston, RI, she was the daughter of the late Howard C. Luther, Sr and Mildred (Graves) Luther. Barbara attended the Providence and Cranston school systems. She Graduated Cranston High School in 1946 and went onto attend Bryant College. She was awarded the degree of PHT from the Episcopal Theological School in Cambridge, MA. Barbara contracted Polio in 1952, the first year of her marriage. Her polio developed into Post Polio Syndrome later in her life. She worked as a Senior Bookkeeper and Payroll Clerk for Crown Worsted Mills in Providence, RI. Barbara then worked at the Baker Library at Harvard Business School from 1952-1955. She went on to work as a bookkeeper for Malcolm E. Berrett, PE, in 1968 -1975 and before retiring she worked for Wilby's Fabric Store from 1975 -1988. Barbara loved music and singing for thirty-one years in the St. Mary's Choir in Portsmouth. She started the Bell Choir and their Thrift Shop. She also started the Country Store booth at St. Mary's Annual Lawn Party and the Annual Parish Show at Saint Mary's.
In addition to welcoming any and all to Saint Mary's rectory, she held an Open House at the Rectory which developed into a Christmas tradition. Thirty-one were held while at the parish. She continued having Christmas Open Houses in Southport, Connecticut and into retirement. Barbara was a member and officer of the Portsmouth Garden Club and for years she was the Hospitality Committee for the Pheasant Hill Neighborhood Association. An excellent cook, she ran the food program of Trinity Church, Southport to feed homeless men in Fairfield, Connecticut. Besides cooking she enjoyed all forms of sewing.
In addition to her husband Gordon, she leaves her children Mark L. Stenning of Newport, RI and Pamela S. Caudill and her husband Charles of East Haven, CT. Barbara is also survived by her grandchildren, Christopher Stenning of East Greenwich, RI, Emily Hughes and her husband Matthew of Bristol, RI, John S. Callahan of Chestnut Hill, PA and Elizabeth Callahan and her wife MaryKate of Avenel, NJ as well as her beloved Molly. She was preceded in death by her brother Howard C. Luther Jr. Gordon asked the following old prayer end Barbara's obituary as it sums up her life so well-
We thank thee, O God, for this thy servant Barbara patient in tribulation; rejoicing in hope; continuing instant in prayer; not slothful in business; given to hospitality. Having fought the good fight and kept the faith, grant to her, we beseech thee the crown of life that fadeth not away; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Due to Covid restrictions, Funeral Services will be private
In lieu of flowers donations may be given to St. Mary's Church, 324 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871 or St.Paul's Church, 2679 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871
For additional information, please visit www.memorialfuneralhome.com

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Published in Newport Daily News from Nov. 25 to Nov. 28, 2020.

Cecelia P. Borden
Cecelia (Pearce) Borden, 105, of Portsmouth passed away on January 6, 2020, at the Grand Islander Nursing Home in Middletown, RI.
She was the wife of the late Robert MacCormick and the late Richard Borden.
Born on February 12, 1914, she was the daughter of the late Cecelia Crocker Pearce and Richard Benjamin Pearce originally from England. She was the sister of the late Richard Pearce and Barbara Haynes.
She is survived by her nieces Pam Pitt of North Kingstown RI, Valerie Records of Warwick, RI, and Susan Ozbek of Warwick, RI. Nephews Richard Haynes of North Kingston, RI and Dave Pearce of North Kingstown, RI. She is also survived by her step son, John Borden of Portsmouth, RI and step daughter Nancy Borden Weida of Portsmouth, RI, in addition to many great nieces, nephews, and step grandchildren.
Ce, as she was known by many, was a woman full of life and the joy of finding happiness wherever she was. She attended high School in Chicago and upon moving to Rhode Island became a successful secretary at the Gladding's Department Store in Providence. She lived in Cranston, RI and moved on to Portsmouth, RI in her charming home on Porters Lane with her husband Bob. There, she established lovely gardens and long lasting friendships. She was an active member of the Portsmouth Garden Club for many, many years.
She enjoyed visiting with her sister Barbara at the "beach house" in the summer in RI as well as shopping and birthday celebrations with nieces Valerie, Pam & Susan.
Never one to shy away from a challenge or hard work, she spent many hours working with her husband Richard and step son John at the family owned Borden Farm apartments in Portsmouth. She would sometimes wallpaper or paint till late at night when necessary to get an apartment ready for rental. She paid all the expenses, helped manage the property and acted as bookkeeper till 98 years old.
Ce belonged to the YMCA in Barrington, RI where she would meets friends to swim and attend aerobics classes 3 days a week well into her 90's. Afterwards they would go to Newport Creamery for lunch and coffee ice cream.
An exceptionally generous person with both her money and her time she often participated in organizations with the aim of serving people. She volunteered with the Heart Association and did the 10 mile walk for hunger in Newport sponsored by Trinity Church.
She became a member of the Evangelical Friends Church in Middletown, RI and worshipped there since the early 1970's. She spent decades serving on the hospitality committee, attended services regularly, cared for the young children of church goers in the nursery and attended regional conference meetings in Ohio. In the summer she would do outreach with children and adults in a camp setting in Portsmouth, RI.
Her love for animals was well known and at times adopted up to five cats to provide them with good homes. Her connection to the Potter Animal League in Middletown is ongoing.
An avid traveler, Ce had been to Jerusalem, Africa and Turkey along with many destinations in America. She especially enjoyed visiting Atlanta to visit dear friends and relatives.
Always on the go and driving well into her late 90's, she enjoyed meeting friends for coffee and breakfast at Reidy's and Food Works Restaurants in Portsmouth.
The family would like to thank the Grand Islander Nursing Home for Ce's exceptional care and compassion for the past several years.
An ever -positive person who loved people, her friends and family she will be sorely missed.
Calling hours will be held on Wednesday January 15, 2020, from 4-7 pm in Connors Funeral Home, 55 West Main Road, Portsmouth.
Her funeral will be held on Thursday January 16, 2020, at 11:00 am, in Friends Evangelical Church, 70 Bliss Road, Middletown.
Burial will be in St. Mary's Churchyard, 324 East Main Road, Portsmouth.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the Potters League for Animals in Middletown, RI     

Published in Newport Daily News from Jan. 10 to Jan. 14, 2020

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