Stella M. Comeau, longtime Melrose resident, died peacefully on March 22nd surrounded by her family who loved her. She was 93.

Stella worked for over 30 years at Melrose City Hall, retiring as Assistant Auditor. A dedicated employee, she never missed a day of work, and with her sharp mind, she transitioned the Auditor's Office from adding machines to sophisticated computer systems.

A single parent for many years, Stella was devoted to supporting her children's activities, and cherished the plays, recitals, birthdays and sleepovers with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Together with her sister Margaret, she was a Boston-area museum and performing arts enthusiast and loved antiquing with her son, Richard.

Stella was that special person everyone liked to be around. Her easy laughter became a gleeful shout of triumph when she beat her sister Margaret in scrabble – they were always neck-and-neck, with a scrabble trophy passing between them. An avid puzzler, card-player, and reader, Stella kept a list of books she'd read; when it surpassed the 3000-mark, she stopped counting.

Stella spent many seasons raising her children and grandchildren to love Goose Rocks Beach and nature at "the camp" in Kennebunkport, Maine, her favorite place on the planet. An intrepid adventurer, Stella traveled to Italy, Scotland, Ireland, Quebec, Nova Scotia, California, and South Carolina. One year, she and her sister Margaret gained notoriety online as "the camping grandmas". With deep roots and a host of kin in Comeauville, Nova Scotia, where she lived for a time, Stella loved a good ocean storm and a fun family gathering.

Always thinking of others, Stella often mailed newspaper articles and other items of interest to friends and family. A woman of faith devoted to her Catholic Church at St. Mary's, Stella showed all who knew her how to laugh, tell stories, reach deep to find inner courage, and cherish every moment spent with family.

Stella is the daughter of the late Joseph A. and Agnes (Doucet) Comeau, the beloved sister of Paul Comeau and wife May; of Marguerite Small and husband, Fred; the cherished mother of Yvonne M. Fink and husband, Richard, her late son, Richard Comeau, son John Comeau and wife Jennifer, and son Paul Comeau and wife Jeron. She was deeply loved by her grandchildren Gary Fink and wife Teresa, Kathryn Fink and husband Matthew Brulet, and Alexander, Zachary, and Dana Comeau. Stella was the proud Great-Grandmother to Keegan, Alex and Adelle Fink, and to Bob, George, and Stella Brulet. She is also survived by many cherished nieces and nephews and their families.

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Visitation will be held at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St. Melrose on Sunday, March 26, 2023 from 2:00-5:00PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary's Church, 9 Herbert St. Melrose on Monday March 27, 2023 at 10:00AM. Relatives & friends are respectfully invited to attend. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Stella's name to Care Dimensions Hospice, 75 Sylvan St., Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923.