Yvette L. Stevens, 94 years old formerly of Woonsocket, RI peacefully passed away on Wednesday September 27, 2023, in Bluffton, South Carolina.
Born and raised in Manville she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Yvonne (Lemieux) Bell. She was a resident of Woonsocket and North Smithfield for most of her life. In recent years, Yvette resided in South Carolina.
Yvette was devoted to her Catholic faith. While living in Woonsocket she was a communicant of Sacred Heart, Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, and Precious Blood Parishes. She enjoyed several memorable pilgrimages to religious sites and shrines. Her volunteer endeavors included scout leader, numerous fundraisers, and the church rectory office.
Yvette worked as a nurse at Fogarty Hospital and several nursing homes in Rhode Island, Florida, and Connecticut. Yvette loved to travel, living in the Chicago for a bit in her 20s before returning to RI to raise a family. Family outings comprised of camping and exploring nature throughout New England.
Family was the most precious thing in her life. She was the matriarch and keeper of many family details that amazed the rest of the family when they gathered to celebrate Holidays or special events. Yvette’s most cherished role in life was being the best grandmother she could be. The love, devotion and empathy Yvette had for her relatives, friends, and church will be her legacy.
Yvette is survived by her children including, Bruce P. Stevens (Tammy) of Georgia, George R. Stevens of Woonsocket, Catherine Fitzsimmons of South Carolina, and Anthony D. Stevens (Kelley) of North Smithfield. She was also the mother of the late Catherine B. Stevens who passed who passed away as a child in 1960. Yvette is also survived by her grandchildren Annie and Emily Stevens, Sean Fitzsimmons, and Andrew and Meghan Stevens.
Yvette came from a large family in which she leaves behind a brother & four sisters, Joseph (Anne) Bell of MA, Jeanne Lunderville of SC, Aline Kenyon of GA, Cecile (Arthur) Felicio of RI, Lorette Ethier of MA and those siblings who preceded her, Edward Bell, Raymond Bell, Claire Iadevaia, Robert “Bob” Bell, Theresa Leblond and Robert who passed as an infant. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and their families who always enjoyed her company at family gatherings.
As we transition beyond her life and recall her many contributions to the community, we will enjoy the lasting memories that she helped create while with us. She touched many directly through her efforts, so we will always appreciate the guiding hands that she placed on our shoulders to direct us through life and enjoy it to the fullest while we are here on Earth.
Her Mass of Christian Burial will be at Precious Blood Church, 94 Carrington Ave. Woonsocket on Saturday November 25, 2023, at 10:00 am.
Yvette will be laid to rest at St. Charles Cemetery in Blackstone, MA immediately afterwards via procession from the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations for macular degeneration research may be made to Bright Focus Foundation: https://donate.brightfocus.org/mdr/donate
Arrangements are by the Menard-Lacouture Funeral Home, 127 Carrington Ave. Woonsocket. www.menardfuneralhome.com