Amherst, Sylvia Blanchard Stoneham, aged 85, died peacefully on July 22, 2017. Family members were with her leading up to her passing.  Sylvia was born in Providence, RI on March 9^th, 1932.

She was the widow of Joel Metcalf Stoneham (1929-1979) and daughter of Helen Chadwick Blanchard and Raymond Cobb Blanchard. Sylvia was a graduate of North Attleboro, MA. High School and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of New Hampshire in 1953.

Mrs. Stoneham taught in the elementary schools of Plainville, MA and Exeter, NH prior to serving as a substitute teacher in Amherst, Hadley and Erving, M.A.  In 1974 she received her paralegal certification from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and served as legal secretary and assistant town clerk in Amherst.

A long time resident of Amherst, Sylvia was involved with the Hampshire Choral Society and with the University Women’s chorus as well as the Unitarian Universalist Society of Amherst.  She also enjoyed reading, poetry classes and playing the piano.

Sylvia’s proudest achievement comes from her role as mother of her three sons: Mark Chadwick Stoneham, David Fernald Stoneham and Peter Gilbert Stoneham. She is survived by 3 daughter in laws, Caroline Stoneham, Suzanne Stoneham and Barbara Fukushima and 5 grand-children, Emilia Stoneham, Elaine Stoneham, Olivia McDowell, Joel K Stoneham and Luke K Stoneham.  She is also survived by her brother Robert Chadwick Blanchard.

Special thank you’s to the staff at Linda Manor who cared for Sylvia.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:

Unitarian Universalist Church of Amherst

121 N Pleasant St., Amherst, MA 01002

C/O Sylvia Stoneham