Emma (Yaczko) Desjarlais Stockwell

Emma Desjarlais Stockwell of Fitchburg, 88, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on September 26, in Rockford, Illinois, where she had recently relocated.  Emma was born in New York City in 1929, the daughter of John and Emma Yaczko.  She attended grammar school in Manhattan and graduated from Forest Hills High School in 1946.  After working with the New York Telephone Company for four years, she married Alfred "Red" Desjarlais in 1950, an Army career man.  The settled on Vine Street in Fitchburg after 2 years of duty in Germany where their son John was born.  Emma worked at Sears for over 20 years in the Catalog Department.  A member of Highland Baptist Church since 1971, she served on several committees, enjoying the Missions Committee the most.  She taught in the Primary Department of the Sunday School, coordinated the Angel Tree Program, and assisted Hmong refugee families in resettlement.  She enjoyed reading mysteries, gardening, and taking bus trips.  After 35 years of marriage, her husband "Red" passed away in 1985.  A year later, she became caregiver for her mother who came to live with her.  She married Roy L. Stockwell in January 2003.  Roy passed away in October 2016.  Emma is survived by  son and daughter-in-law John and Virginia Desjarlais in Illinois, grandson Matthew Desjarlais, his wife Sarah and their two daughters Lillian and Lindsey in Georgia, sister Clara Thrush in Monroe, WA, nieces Deborah and  Nancy thrush in Washington and California, step-daughter Gail Stockwell and her husband Larry Levitsky in San Francisco, and sister-in-law Marjorie Dik of Fitchburg and her extended family.

An interment ceremony will take place Friday, October 20, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. in Forest Hill Cemetery,115 Mt. Elam Road, Fitchburg, MA 01420.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Highland Baptist Church Memorial, 19 Cedar St., Fitchburg, MA 01420, or to The Gideons, PO Box 97251, Washington, DC 20090-7251.

www.wrightroyfuneralhome.com

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