Frances M. Stover

Frances May Stover, 96, of New Berlin, died peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at Wellspan Evangelical Community Hospital, Lewisburg, after a month-long illness. During her stay she was visited by many friends and family members.

Born July 23, 1928, Frances was the daughter of the late Rev. Dr. Webster Stover and Marion Allen Stover. In her earliest years, Frances lived in Connecticut, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. She attended grade school in Rye, New York, and graduated from Rye High School in 1946. Frances went on and graduated in 1950 from Russell Sage College in Troy, New York. She lived in Rye for 45 years and worked with her father on Fifth Avenue in New York City at the Albert Teachers Agency. Frances also was a school librarian in New York State. After her father’s passing, Frances moved to New Berlin in 1987, with her mother where she faithfully cared for her mother until her death November 26, 2005.

Frances enjoyed volunteering at Rolling Hills Nursing Home, Millmont, playing bingo where “everyone won a prize”. She would collect small stuffed animals as prizes for the residents. She enjoyed crocheting, sitting on her deck porch with friends eating ice cream, drinking ginger ale and playing Rummikub and Penny Drop. Just like her mother, Frances was an avid lifelong Democrat and followed politics daily. On Saturdays at noon, Frances would join others from the Center for Nonviolent Living in front of Lewisburg's Post Office to demonstrate pro-peace messages.

She was a member of Emmanuel United Church of Christ, New Berlin, and friends with Pastor James Cope and Pastor Jan Grainger. Frances had many close friends in New Berlin: Martha Hockenberry, Laurrie Emerson, Chris Hansel and Elaine Norrick, just to name a few. The Senior Luncheons were one of her favorite events and she greatly appreciated the rides she was given.

In her 96 years, she recovered from numerous illnesses and accidents. She overcame cancer four times and a dog attack.

Frances is survived by an older sister, “Little” Marian Stover Kelley of Corvallis, Oregon; two nephews, Edwin Webster Kelley of Corvallis, and John Allen Kelley of Chicago, Illinois; a niece Dr. Linda Kelley of Los Gatos, California; a great-nephew, John Kelley Backer of Los Gatos; cousins, Dr. Mary Bean of Towson, Maryland, Christopher Bean of Jacksonville, Florida, David Bean of Towson, Maryland, Eleanor Bellows McCaskey of Shelby Township, Michigan, Tommie Ann Bellows Tomlinson of Westfield, and Patricia Bellows Trowbridge of Sabinsville, and many other cousins.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Frances will rest in peace at Riverside Cemetery in Knoxville, Pennsylvania, with her mother and many other relatives.

In lieu of flowers, Frances would appreciate any kind deeds for a friend or stranger in her loving memory. This is what she was taught by her mother and grandmother.

Arrangements are by Roupp Funeral Home Inc., 8594 Old Turnpike Road, Mifflinburg.

Leave your condolences online at www.rouppfuneralhome.com.